Lotus 'Not Bitter' Over Raikkonen's Ferrari Return

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Lotus F1 team principal Eric Boullier has said that while losing Kimi Raikkonen to Ferrari for the 2014 season is a disappointment, he is not bitter about the Finn's decision.

The Enstone-based squad was obviously keen to hold onto the 2007 world champion's services but failed to work out a deal with the Finn, who was announced as Felipe Massa's replacement at Ferrari yesterday (Wednesday).

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

The team's reaction wasn't as speedy as this, but it was typically hilariously as they now look to end his career at Lotus on a high.

Boullier was asked if he was bitter about Raikkonen's decision, repying: "Not at all. Two years ago, when we decided to sign him, quite a few people thought we were crazy. And what happened in the end?

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

"We’ve been working with an amazing racer, who scored points for the team 27 times in a row, won two races, put motivation at a very high level at Enstone, and got on very well with his team-mate."

However, he admitted that he was disappointed to lose the ice-cream loving Finn: "Of course this is a disappointment to all of us, and we’re sure you will agree that Kimi has been nothing but brilliant since he joined us. It’s been a win-win situation right from the beginning."

Image source: F1 Fanatic

Now Lotus looks to the future and to who will replace Raikkonen. Current team-mate Romain "Bro, do you even lift?" Grosjean is also out-of-contract at the end of the season and his continually inconsistent form could make it an all new line-up in the black and golf liveried car for 2014.

Discussing the subject, Boullier said: "We are currently in discussion with a few people and will make a decision shortly. We are in the privileged position of being the most desirable team on the grid with a seat available, so we are therefore in no rush to announce anyone without establishing what will be the best for our team and the future."

Image source: Lotus F1 Team

Those in contention include Nico Hulkenberg - who was the star of the Italian Grand Prix qualifying and who impressed immensely in the race - Felipe Massa, who Boullier admitted was on their radar, Paul Di Resta and current third driver Davide Valsecchi to name just a few.