Renault driver Kimi Raikkonen impresses his team principal Eric Boullier at Valencia – Formula 1 news
Kimi Raikkonen has impressed Lotus team Principal Eric Boullier with his first sitting in a Formula 1 car after a hiatus of more than 2 years.
Raikkonen drove the 2010 Lotus car at Valencia on Monday to acclimatise himself with Formula 1 and will keep the testing on for Tuesday as well. The FIA has banned testing outside its designated testing days and that is why Raikkonen is driving a 2010 model
of the Lotus car.
The car is also using demo Pirelli tyres which are different in profile and strength than the ones that are going to be used in the upcoming 2012 season. The demo tyres will not help Raikkonen get any familiarisation with the Pirelli compound and that is
why FIA has allowed him to use them.
Eric Boullier said that after the first day of testing Raikkonen displayed just how talented he is as a driver.
“I must say today was very positive,” Boullier said. “You can see that the whole team is pleased with Kimi's feedback, and Kimi himself seemed very happy to be back behind the wheel. He got the feel of the car very quickly and it's good to see him building
a strong relationship with the team.”
“Obviously, the R30 is different to the new car, but he is clearly excited to get started at the first test in Jerez. Our team is made up of true racing people, and Kimi fits into that very well,” he added.
Raikkonen himself has maintained that it will not take him long to get back to his F1 mode. He said the only question mark would be the Pirelli tyres as he knows that some of the drivers were not too comfortable with them during 2011, while others adapted
quickly.
Director of trackside operations Alan Permane also said that Raikkonen showed good professionalism and was up there with his speed and these are all encouraging signs ahead of the 2012 season.
Raikkonen will get a chance to drive the 2012 version of the car during the first pre-season test scheduled to be held from February 7-10.
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