SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium: Lotus expect to finalise an investment deal imminently and are confident Kimi Raikkonen will decide to stay on next season, according to the Formula One team’s principal Eric Boullier.
“Yes, I am (confident). He loves this team. He likes to be here and he likes the environment we created for him,” the Frenchman told reporters after Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix.
“I understand he needs to be reassured about the strength of the team financially, the technical challenge we have to face for next year... it’s normal.”
Boullier said he expected new investment, first announced in June, to be finalised by next week’s Italian Grand Prix to put the team on a secure footing.
Raikkonen indicated at Spa that his salary had not been fully paid and Lotus knew what had to be resolved before any talks could begin.REUTERS
