Raikkonen at the Lotus factory this week for his seat fitting
Kimi Raikkonen will test the 2010-spec Renault R30 Formula 1 car for two days on January 23-24 at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, according to a report by Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat. The private test session will be used to familiarize himself with the steering wheel and the controls of a Formula 1 car.
Raikkonen's first test with the 2012-spec Lotus along with Pirelli tyres however, will only take place on February 7 at the first pre-season testing session in Jerez, Spain.
The 2007 Formula 1 world champion has been training hard in anticipation of his return to Formula 1 after two years away competing in the World Rally Championship, according to his personal trainer Mark Arnall.
"The work on his neck and leg muscles has been taken care of, as well as his stamina. We have made good progress in a positive way and Kimi is in good shape," said Arnall.
Arnall added, "We know that everything else can be worked on in advance except for the neck muscles. They can only be strengthened to the required level by driving a F1 car."
Raikkonen will only have a total of eight days of testing before the start of the season at the Australian Grand Prix. After Raikkonen's two-day private test session in Valencia, the pre-season testing duties will be shared equally with his teammate Romain Grosjean. The teams will have a total of twelve days of pre-season testing in Jerez and Barcelona.
"Eight days is not much, but it's not less than what everyone gets. In a way, it sort of helps Kimi that the track in Albert Park is not one of the toughest tracks. This way he will get three more driving days to strengthen his neck for tracks that are more physically demanding," said Arnall.
2012 F1 pre-season testing schedule
February 7-10 - Circuito de Jerez, Spain
February 21-24 - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
March 1-4 - Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain
