Schumacher rebuffs Lotus
LOTUS have turned to Heikki Kovalainen to fill their vacant car for the final two races of the season after seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher rejected the chance to come out of retirement for a second time.
Finland’s Kimi Raikkonen will miss this weekend’s United States Grand Prix and the final race of the season in Brazil in order to undergo back surgery before joining Ferrari next year.
According to Schumacher’s manager, Sabine Kehm, the 44-year-old rejected the chance to replace Raikkonen, opening the door for Kovalainen’s brief return to the team he left in 2011.
“It is true they were asking and I can understand why. Everyone can see Michael is still very fit,” said Kehm. “But he just feels so settled in his new life.”