Kimi Raikkonen says fanfare surrounding F1 comeback won't affect him

The 2007 world champion ended months of speculation by confirming that he would return to the sport after two years competing in the World Rally Championship. Since then the potential success of his comeback has become a huge talking point.

But Raikkonen, speaking after spending Thursday at the team's Enstone factory for a seat fitting, said that he doesn't care what other people think about his decision.

"There has been quite a bit of noise in the press about my comeback and there have been a lot of rumours," Raikkonen told the Lotus official website. "It has no effect on me.

"Sometimes you hear nonsense and sometimes you hear nice things. The main thing is that coming back is what I wanted and I have a good opportunity with the team so I'm happy.

"I have never really looked at what people say or think. I do my own thing and as long as I'm happy with it then that's the main thing for me."

The Finn added that his seat fitting marked the first time he had properly sat in a Formula 1 car since the end of his 2009 season with Ferrari.

"The last time I was at Enstone I quickly jumped into a seat, but this is the first time I have properly sat in an F1 car with a helmet on since the last race of 2009," he said.

"It felt a bit odd at first because the cockpit seems a bit small, but that's normal. It's just like in the past when I have done seat fittings - it feels a bit strange when you first step into the car but you quickly adjust."