Kimi Raikkonen

So, the 2007 World champion has announced that he is returning to Formula 1 competition with the Renault/Lotus team, after a two year absence from the premier class of motorsport.  My first reaction was surprise that Raikkonen had only been out of F1 for two seasons. It felt like longer than that!

Whilst it is excellent news that a driver of Kimi's talent will be back on the grid, this news does throw up some interesting talking points, both about the Finn and others.

Whilst Raikkonen is making all the correct noises, about rediscovering his hunger for F1 and so on, he faces a different situation to that which existed when he embarked on his Grand Prix sabbatical. In 2009, he was still in a reasonably competitive car, and with a team with bounteous resources. That will not necessarily be the case in 2012. The record of ex World Champions returning to F1 in "middling" cars or teams is equivocal at best.

On the surface, Kimi would seem to have advantages over previous high-profile F1 returnees.  Firstly, he is still remarkably young for someone who has achieved so much, and who has competed in so many Grands Prix. Theoretically, this should help him both physically and psychologically. In addition, during his two year absence from the pinnacle he has continued competing, more or less full-time in rallying, whilst also dabbling with NASCAR.  His competitive juices have therefore been kept well and truly active.

Despite the plus points mentioned above, there is always the nagging fear that in today's ever-changing, intense and complex F1 environment, Kimi will fail to get up to speed.  On balance, I don't expect this to happen, primarily because he is such a naturally fast driver, in the Mika Hakkinen mould, and can therefore drive around many problems.

It will be fascinating to witness to what degree the thinking on the choice of the other Lotus driver for 2012 is influenced, sub-consciously or otherwise, by the arrival of Raikkonen. Given that the choice of Kimi represents a risk, albeit a relatively small one, will there be a temptation to "play safe" in the selection of the occupant of the other seat?

For the time being anyway, let's disregard any misgivings and celebrate the return of "The Iceman",  whose inclusion adds yet more spice to what promises to be an intriguing 2012 season.