Heikki Kovalainen seals F1 race return with Lotus for final

[grigor]

Heikki Kovalainen will stand in for Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus at the final two grands prix of the season after Caterham released the Finn from his duties with the team.

After Nico Hulkenberg's manager confirmed on Wednesday that his client had turned down the opportunity to switch from Sauber for the U.S. and Brazilian GPs, Kovalainen emerged as the favourite to replace Raikkonen following his Finnish countryman's withdrawal from the races to undergo back surgery.

Although Kovalainen hasn't competed in an F1 race since the end of 2012 when he was dropped for financial reasons by Caterham, the 32-year-old had returned to the cockpit for the team in a development driver capacity from May's Spanish GP and competed in six Friday practice sessions.

Lotus have now successfully negotiated the 32-year-old's release from his duties at Caterham, with Kovalainen heading for a race return with the Leafield-based outfit's good wishes.