entered F1 with Sauber in 2001 before going on to enjoy a successful five-season spell with McLaren between 2002 and 2006 , winning nine grands prix and twice finishing runner-up in the world championship . Speaking to CNN World Sport , Renault team principal Eric Boullier said he was delighted to have secured Raikkonen 's services and insisted the Finn would soon be challenging the sport 's top echelon of drivers . `` His motivation is huge and clearly the talent he has will maybe need a little bit of time to get back on track and to adapt to the new car and the new tires but I 'm very confident he will get back , '' he said . `` I hope we push as much as we can , as much as we did at the beginning of the season . It is difficult to set up a competitive Formula One team , it takes time , but we learn every year from the experience . `` Kimi 's experience is huge , he has been world champion , he has won many races , he has been working and driving for great constructors like Sauber and
-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012 , after Renault announced on Tuesday that the 2007 world champion has signed a two-year deal with the team . The Finn won the drivers ' championship with Ferrari in 2007 before leaving the sport in 2009 , but he will return next season after spending time in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR . `` I 'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break , and I 'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity , '' the 32-year-old told the team 's official website . `` My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver , but I ca n't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming . Final F1 2011 season standings `` It was an easy choice to return with Lotus Renault GP as I have been impressed by the scope of the team 's ambition . Now I 'm looking forward to playing an important role in pushing the team to the very front of the grid . '' Raikkonen