The ‘Iceman’ returneth following two years attempting – and failing – to make his name in the World Rally Championship after departing Formula One at the end of 2009, seemingly disillusioned and disheartened.

Rallying was an itch Raikkonen had to scratch, especially as his love affair with F1 petered out after winning the world title in 2007.

There was an element of luck to his victory that year because with two grands prix remaining and trailing Lewis Hamilton by 17 points with just 20 available, his cause appeared almost lost.

Hamilton, however, contrived to throw away his opportunity rather than Raikkonen take it, but you have to concede he was at least in the right place at the right time to profit from the situation.

After finishing as runner-up in 2003 and 2005, the latter a mere two points shy of Michael Schumacher, his one-point success over Hamilton two years later was particularly sweet.

It should have signalled the start of a successful era at Ferrari after five years at McLaren, particularly after being freed from the corporate shackles that tied any driver to the Woking-based marque and then team principal Ron Dennis.

But 2007 was to prove his zenith because the following season the Finn ended up playing second fiddle to Felipe Massa’s championship challenge despite a strong start in which he won two of the first five races, also claiming a second and a third.

And then, come 2009, Ferrari endured an abysmal year by their own high standards, failing to score a point in the first three races and totalling a meagre six after the opening five.

It was around that time rumours of Raikkonen’s disaffection with F1 began surfacing, and coupled with the long-held claims relating to his poor feedback and wild partying, the exit door loomed.

Despite the fact he still had a season remaining on his contract, reputed to be worth £20million per year, Raikkonen was given a pay-off as Ferrari welcomed Fernando Alonso to the fold.

And so began Raikkonen’s rally adventure, as well as the occasional dabble with NASCAR, effectively wasting two years of what would normally be the prime of an F1 career.

Now aged 32, Raikkonen has been lured back, with money, of course, being an obvious motivating factor as Lotus have spent a fortune in recruiting a man with genuine speed and talent.

Raikkonen, however, does not suffer fools gladly, so it remains to be seen as to the package that will be beneath him next year.

In their guise of Renault for the final time in 2011, there was an early suggestion the Enstone-based team could push the ‘big four’ of Red Bull, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes.

Looks, however, proved deceiving as they faltered alarmingly, never realising their early potential, and come the conclusion they only just held on to fifth place in the constructors’ championship.

As one of an F1 record six world champions on the grid next season, Raikkonen will not want to come last of a bunch that also includes Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton, Jenson Button, Alonso and Schumacher.

But that is the very real prospect facing him, and if it proves to be the case, it then becomes a question of how long F1 will again be able to hold his attention.

sportinglife.com