Lotus Impressed by Raikkonen's Laptimes
"After two days of private testing with a 2010-spec Renault R30 at Valencia, Lotus is convinced that Kimi Raikkonen will be ready for the start of the official pre-season testing in Jerez on February 7. The Finn was back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car on Monday for the first time since he last drove for Ferrari in 2009.
Despite completing a total of 666 km over two days, or the equivalent of more than two Grands Prix race distances, Raikkonen did not show any signs of physical fatigue during the test in Valencia.
Speaking to Autosport magazine after the test, Lotus track operations director Alan Permane said, “F1 cars are reasonably intense to drive and although he’s a fit guy, I suspect his neck muscles won’t have been used in a rally car to the extent they are in an F1 car. But he did 50 laps on the first morning and didn’t have to stop for any fitness breaks or anything like that.”
Despite being away from Formula 1 for two years competing in the World Rally Championship, Raikkonen’s performance during the Valencia tests left Permane feeling confident that Raikkonen will be 100 per cent ready in time for the start of the pre-season testing in Jerez.
“I’ll give you an example: he was running around with a lowish fuel load in the car and we put an awful lot more fuel in. We calculated what the difference should have been and his first lap was absolutely on it – to the tenth. That was impressive. I wouldn’t have known that he hadn’t been driving last season,” said Permane.\"
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Despite completing a total of 666 km over two days, or the equivalent of more than two Grands Prix race distances, Raikkonen did not show any signs of physical fatigue during the test in Valencia.
Speaking to Autosport magazine after the test, Lotus track operations director Alan Permane said, “F1 cars are reasonably intense to drive and although he’s a fit guy, I suspect his neck muscles won’t have been used in a rally car to the extent they are in an F1 car. But he did 50 laps on the first morning and didn’t have to stop for any fitness breaks or anything like that.”
Despite being away from Formula 1 for two years competing in the World Rally Championship, Raikkonen’s performance during the Valencia tests left Permane feeling confident that Raikkonen will be 100 per cent ready in time for the start of the pre-season testing in Jerez.
“I’ll give you an example: he was running around with a lowish fuel load in the car and we put an awful lot more fuel in. We calculated what the difference should have been and his first lap was absolutely on it – to the tenth. That was impressive. I wouldn’t have known that he hadn’t been driving last season,” said Permane.\"
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