Jan 24, 2012, 8:47 GMT
Valencia, Spain - Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen was set for a second of training Tuesday for his return to Formula One racing after an encouraging run the previous day at Lotus.
Raikkonen, 32, was further feeling his way back into the sport in a 2010 car of the team formerly known as Renault.
Lotus said in a statement released overnight that Raikkonen drove 300km on Monday on the Valencia circuit, with even m,ore mileage planned for Tuesday.
'It was a good first day! Having not driven a Formula 1 car for two years and obviously with a new team, there is a lot to get used to. I'm happy because I was pretty quick to get back in the groove,' said Raikkonen in the statement.
'Obviously you get more into the zone with the more laps you complete, as you discover more about the car and the tyres. Knowing when to turn, brake, and when to get on the power didn't take long at all.'
Raikkonen won the world title for Ferrari in 2007 and quit F1 after the 2009 season to compete in rally events. He will not be allowed to drive the 2012 Lotus until the first official pre-season tests from February 7 onwards. The first race is on March 18 in Australia.
Team principal Eric Boullier named the first of training 'very positive' as Lotus aim to move closer to the top teams again in 2012 after coming a distant fifth last year.
'He got the feel of the car very quickly and it's good to see him building a strong relationship with the team,' said Boullier.
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