Kimi returns to actionposted in F123 | 01 | 2012

KIMI RAIKKONEN RETURNED to a Formula One cockpit today, but the former world champion admitted it will be some time before he's back to his best.

The Finn drove a 2010-spec Renault R30 at Valencia today as he began his F1 reacclimatisation after his Nascar and world rally exploits.

Raikkonen, who will get his first run in the team's 2012 machine at Jerez next month, apparently delivered promising results during today's run.

His times, in essence, were meaningless, however, as he was running in an old car on Pirelli demonstration rubber.

"It was nice to get back in the car," Raikkonen said. "It's quite a few years since I have driven an F1 car and, of course, it takes a little while to get used to it.

Watch our video interview with Kimi Raikkonen in Valencia

"But the main driving, braking, turning, that doesn't take many laps. Of course, to start learning about the car and team and tyres, that will take time."

And the Finn admitted he had never really expected to get back not F1.

"I didn't have any plans for the future," he continued. "There were different choices to do this year and I really wanted to do racing. We did some Nascar stuff last year and I enjoyed it a lot, racing against other people.

"That is where I decided to do racing, and if you are doing racing, F1 is the highest level and probably where most people want to be. I found a good chance to come back and do racing with Lotus."

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Jim McGill