2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will get back behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in two years later this month. Raikkonen will sample a 2010-spec Renault at the Spanish circuit of Valencia during a specially-arranged two-day test designed to help him reacclimatise to F1 ahead of his return to the sport this season.

The Finn, who will drive for the newly-rebadged Lotus team (formerly Renault) in 2012, visited the outfit’s UK Enstone factory last week for a seat fitting and to catch up with engineers. He last drove an F1 car at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when he bid farewell to Ferrari.

Raikkonen will be in action at Valencia from January 23-24 and is expected to run on Pirelli's demo-spec tyres. He is then due to join new team mate Romain Grosjean at the first multi-team pre-season test, which will take place at Jerez from February 7-10.

formula1.com