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F1 Spanish GP: Kimi Antonelli leads tricky second practice as Arvid Lindblad crashes

Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
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NASCAR Cup
Darlington II
Spire co-owner Jeff Dickerson fires back at Denny Hamlin after criticism

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Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
Juan Pablo Montoya says Madring is first 2026 F1 track he wants to drive

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WRC
WRC
Rally Chile
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Endurance
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LIVE: F1 Spanish Grand Prix updates - Kimi Antonelli leads FP2 as Arvid Lindblad crashes out

Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
LIVE: F1 Spanish Grand Prix updates - Kimi Antonelli leads FP2 as Arvid Lindblad crashes out

Why Charles Leclerc isn't using latest ADUO2 engine in the Spanish GP

Formula 1
Formula 1
Spanish GP
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MotoGP San Marino GP: Marco Bezzecchi pips Marquez brothers to top Practice

MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
MotoGP San Marino GP: Marco Bezzecchi pips Marquez brothers to top Practice
Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team with Beat Zehnder, Sauber F1 Team Manager

May 12 (GMM) Kimi Raikkonen has admitted his failed negotiations with Williams ultimately turned out for the better.

Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team with Beat Zehnder, Sauber F1 Team Manager
Kimi Raikkonen, Lotus F1 Team with Beat Zehnder, Sauber F1 Team Manager

Photo by: xpb.cc

When he decided to try to return to F1 this year, the 2007 world champion negotiated at length with Williams.

When those talks faltered, he turned to his second option, and quickly came to agreement with the former Renault team Lotus.

The Enstone based team has been the surprise of the 2012 season so far, and in Barcelona Finn Raikkonen is arguably the overall favourite.

He was asked by Turun Sanomat newspaper if the performance of Lotus, his only actual option for a race seat this year, has surprised him.

"Well, I had another option," said the 32-year-old, referring to Williams.

"It's hard to say what kind of results I would have had with Williams. They would have been pretty good as well but perhaps not quite as strong as we are doing now," said Raikkonen, who finished second in Bahrain recently.

He said he has not been surprised.

"Last year (as Renault) they weren't bad at the start of the season," said the former Ferrari and McLaren driver.

"But they had decided to put the exhaust at the front of the car and were not then able to develop the way they needed."

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