Kimi Raikkonen will miss the final two races of the 2013 season in the United States and Brazil.
The Finn will undergo back surgery next week. He was almost forced out of the Singapore Grand Prix due to the back injury, which dates back to a testing car for Sauber in 2001.
Over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, the 34-year-old was involved in a pay dispute with his Lotus team. He only turned up to race after an "understanding" between both parties was made.
He even contemplated missing the final two races of the season if the issue wasn't resolved. It appeared that the matter had been sorted and he would compete for the team in the final two races of 2013, but his back problem has forced him out.
Instead of heading to Austin, Texas, for the penultimate round of the season, the 2007 world champion will fly to Salzburg for the operation. It is estimated that the recovery time will be four weeks.
If Raikkonen had waited until the end of the season to undergo the surgery, it would've most likely impacted on preparations for his return to Ferrari in 2014.
His manager Steve Robertson confirmed the news to AUTOSPORT, saying: "In an ideal world it would have been nice to finish the season with Lotus in the final two grand prix.
"However, due to the severe pain that Kimi is having, sadly it is not possible."
Lotus now has a few days to decide on a replacement. The Enstone based outfit could choose to promote reserve driver Davide Valsecchi to a race seat or go for a more experienced available driver. Team principal Eric Boullier is hoping that the team will finish second in the constructors', but believes third place is a more realistic target.
It is unclear how Raikkonen's absence will impact on his payment issues with the Lotus team.
Lotus released a statement on Sunday afternoon, confirming Raikkonen's surgery: "Lotus F1 Team can confirm that Kimi Räikkönen will miss the final two races of the 2013 Formula 1 season to undergo, and recover from, back surgery. The team will make an announcement about the replacement driver for the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix in due course."
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| (c) Octane Photographic |
Over the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix weekend, the 34-year-old was involved in a pay dispute with his Lotus team. He only turned up to race after an "understanding" between both parties was made.
He even contemplated missing the final two races of the season if the issue wasn't resolved. It appeared that the matter had been sorted and he would compete for the team in the final two races of 2013, but his back problem has forced him out.
Instead of heading to Austin, Texas, for the penultimate round of the season, the 2007 world champion will fly to Salzburg for the operation. It is estimated that the recovery time will be four weeks.
If Raikkonen had waited until the end of the season to undergo the surgery, it would've most likely impacted on preparations for his return to Ferrari in 2014.
His manager Steve Robertson confirmed the news to AUTOSPORT, saying: "In an ideal world it would have been nice to finish the season with Lotus in the final two grand prix.
"However, due to the severe pain that Kimi is having, sadly it is not possible."
Lotus now has a few days to decide on a replacement. The Enstone based outfit could choose to promote reserve driver Davide Valsecchi to a race seat or go for a more experienced available driver. Team principal Eric Boullier is hoping that the team will finish second in the constructors', but believes third place is a more realistic target.
It is unclear how Raikkonen's absence will impact on his payment issues with the Lotus team.
Lotus released a statement on Sunday afternoon, confirming Raikkonen's surgery: "Lotus F1 Team can confirm that Kimi Räikkönen will miss the final two races of the 2013 Formula 1 season to undergo, and recover from, back surgery. The team will make an announcement about the replacement driver for the United States and Brazilian Grands Prix in due course."
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