Raikkonen Says Car Performance More Important Than Money for His Choice

Kimi Raikkonen is the most interesting yet-unsigned driver for the next Formula 1 season. After returning to Formula 1 last season with a two-year contract with LotusLotusUnited Kingdom, 1952 > present68 models
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, he finished third in the World Drivers’ Championship last season and currently sits in fourth place for this season. Rumors have popped up linking him to FerrariFerrariItaly, 1947 > present233 models
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and McLarenMcLarenUnited Kingdom, 1963 > present92 models
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for 2014, and he ended negotiations with to drive for Red BullRed BullAustria, 2004 > present12 models
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. Raikkonen says the performance of the car is more important to him rather than the money and is asking for technical guarantees from Lotus if he stays with the team.

Lotus’ response is that it can deliver a car next year that can perform to Raikkonen’s desires, if he stays with the team. That is partially thanks to Lotus selling a third of the team to a consortium of investors called Infinity Racing.

"His main thing right now is to be sure that next year we are a top team, because there is a major change in terms of technical specifications. He does not want us to be just a customer team,” said team owner Gerard Lopez.

According to Lopez, the team is working with Renault to have a closer relationship in the future, but Lotus has not signed an engine deal for 2014 yet.

"I said two months ago that as long as he gets what he wants from us – which is technical guarantees from us next year in terms of how close we are with Renault – then there is a high chance he will stay," said Lopez.

Source: Autosport