Eric Boullier, team principal of the Lotus F1 team, has shared his optimism at retaining Kimi Raikkonen as a race driver for 2014.
The Finn is in high demand at the moment, being in contention for next years vacant Red Bull seat alongside being linked to a drive with Ferrari in recent times. However Boullier is confident that Lotus can keep the 2007 world champion at Enstone.
Speaking during the August edition of the JAF1 Podcast at jamesallenonf1.com, he said: "I'm very optimistic. There is a lot of discussion in the press, most of it is irrelevant. It is all about making Kimi comfortable enough to stay and be happy to stay. Part of it is done.
"He knows the team and the environment. Now it's about building up the right package. He will then make his decision."
Boullier recently said that he would give Raikkonen 10 out of 10 for his race performances so far, asked whether that was beyond his expectations he said: "Yes, definitely, above all the expectations. I'm very happy to have him at the team and blossom in such a way."
The team lost technical director James Allison earlier in the season and he has subsequently re-joined Ferrari. Discussing the loss of Allison, Boullier said: "It was a big shock through the media and also here. James was a respected man both technically and as a person."
He added: "The technical structure in Enstone is already flat so while the departure of James is a blow, we can recover straight away."
Lotus currently sit fourth in the constructors standings, with Raikkonen and Grosjean - who recently became a father - occupying second and eighth in the drivers championship.
Grosjean's future at the team is unknown although backing from France and the fact that Boullier is his manager will certainly help.
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Speaking during the August edition of the JAF1 Podcast at jamesallenonf1.com, he said: "I'm very optimistic. There is a lot of discussion in the press, most of it is irrelevant. It is all about making Kimi comfortable enough to stay and be happy to stay. Part of it is done.
"He knows the team and the environment. Now it's about building up the right package. He will then make his decision."
Boullier recently said that he would give Raikkonen 10 out of 10 for his race performances so far, asked whether that was beyond his expectations he said: "Yes, definitely, above all the expectations. I'm very happy to have him at the team and blossom in such a way."
The team lost technical director James Allison earlier in the season and he has subsequently re-joined Ferrari. Discussing the loss of Allison, Boullier said: "It was a big shock through the media and also here. James was a respected man both technically and as a person."
He added: "The technical structure in Enstone is already flat so while the departure of James is a blow, we can recover straight away."
Lotus currently sit fourth in the constructors standings, with Raikkonen and Grosjean - who recently became a father - occupying second and eighth in the drivers championship.
Grosjean's future at the team is unknown although backing from France and the fact that Boullier is his manager will certainly help.
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