Räikkönen with Lotus in 2013 under performance conditions?
According to the highly reputable Autosport, the Finnish driver's contract reportedly includes an exit clause in case of a result lower than eighth place in the final standings of the World Drivers' Championship.
During the thunderous return of Kimi Räikkönen, opinions were divided. For some, the Enstone team was taking a risk by hiring a driver who hadn’t been behind the wheel of a Formula One car for two years, without even showing genuine interest until last autumn, and who might not have the profile of the technical leader the British team needed at the time. For others, the 2007 world champion was taking a risk by joining a team that had experienced a chaotic 2011 season. Nonetheless, the Finn and the British team joined forces for two seasons, but according to *Autosport*, the contract reportedly includes a clause that would free the former McLaren and Ferrari driver should he finish lower than 8th place in the drivers’ world championship at the end of the season. Such a clause would allow the Finn to aim for a better car if the Lotus E20 didn’t live up to his talent and, conversely, allow Lotus to part ways with a driver whose results wouldn’t match the resources provided.
However, given the impression left by the latest born from Enstone during the Jerez tests, eighth place seems to be, for the moment, a more than reasonable goal while Sebastian Vettel, the reigning double world champion, assured in the columns of Auto Motor und Sport that if the Lotus is as good as it seemed to be in Jerez, then Kimi will be a serious rival.
As for those who worry about the real motivation of the iceman, he assures that it has never been a problem for him: « The problem isn’t motivation; if the car is crap, you can be at your best and not get results. It’s not always the driver’s fault, [but] it’s easier to blame the guy in the car. My feeling is that I had one of my best years in 2009, so I’m happy about that. The last Ferrari I drove wasn’t always at the front and I had some good races [editor’s note: including his last victory at Spa]. I wouldn’t give up if I was, let’s say, eighth. As long as I know I’m giving 100%, I’m satisfied with myself. If it’s not enough, it doesn’t matter. »
