'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Recent rumors suggest that the 2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen may return to formula one with Williams F1 team in 2012. There was some truth to those rumors after Raikkonen recently visited the Williams F1 team’s headquarters at Grove.
Raikkonen left the F1 scene at the end of the 2009 season, when he lost his place to Fernando Alonso at Ferrari. Since then Raikkonen has been driving in the WRC and some NASCAR events.
The media reports suggests that the Finn may sign Williams deal only for the 2012 season. Which will be as a test driver to get him back up to speed for the 2013 starting grid with other major teams as Lewis Hamilton and Mark Webber will also be out of contract at the end of next year. Although, Raikkonen’s manager has denied the rumors, saying it was just a private visit.
If Raikkonen signs a deal with Williams F1 team, Rubens Barrichello will probably lose his seat as Pastor Maldonado’s 2012 drive is secured with huge sponsorship money from his main backer Venezuelan oil company. The Raikkonen deal will also boost way for new investors in the team, which is much needed for the Grove based squad.
These are still the rumors but the question is will Raikkonen return to F1?
