Lotus agrees deal with Heikki Kovalainen to replace Kimi Raikkonen
Heikki Kovalainen will be announced as Kimi Raikkonen's replacement at Lotus on Thursday once final details of his contract with the team have been sorted out

Following intense discussions that have involved both the Lotus and Caterham teams over the past few hours, AUTOSPORT understands that an agreement has been reached for him to stand in for the final two Formula 1 races of the season.
One of the main hurdles was securing the blessing of Caterham for the deal, because Kovalainen is under contract to the outfit until the end of the season.
But despite a history of friction between Caterham and Lotus dating back to the Team Lotus naming dispute, sources suggest that an amicable deal has been reached for Kovalainen to be released to race for Lotus in the United States and Brazil.
Kovalainen has already visited Lotus' Enstone headquarters to finalise his preparations for a return to racing action for the first time since 2012.
Lotus is expected to make an announcement confirming Kovalainen's deal on Thursday morning, just hours before he is due to arrive at the Austin track.
Kovalainen's deal comes after efforts to sign Nico Hulkenberg came to nothing when the German decided against joining the team, despite having visited Enstone earlier this week.
SCHUMACHER APPROACHED

It has also emerged that Lotus sounded out Michael Schumacher about a possible comeback after his retirement last year.
Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told German newspaper Bild: "There have been quite a few requests in the past.
"Michael would still be fit enough but he has a new life. I don't find it unusual that people ask.
"Many people changed their assessment about Michael because of Nico Rosberg's recent performances compared to those of Lewis Hamilton.
"Michael drove as well as Nico, just as Nico is driving as well as Lewis."

Previous article
Stats: F1's late-race shootouts
Next article
Sergio Perez: 2014 F1 chances 'difficult' after McLaren dismissal

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Kimi Raikkonen |
Teams | Team Lotus , Lotus F1 Team |
Author | Jonathan Noble |
Lotus agrees deal with Heikki Kovalainen to replace Kimi Raikkonen
Trending
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
Why the demise of F1's hypocritical spending habit is cause for celebration
For too long, F1's richest teams have justified being able to spend as much as they want because that's the way they've always conducted their business. STUART CODLING says that's no reason not to kick a bad habit
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is not guaranteed
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak