Dec.5 (GMM) Bruno Senna is in the running among at least another trio of rivals to become Kimi Raikkonen's race teammate at Lotus in 2012.

One of them is Adrian Sutil, who thinks that after his best ever season with Force India, it is "absurd" that he has not already been offered a new contract.

"Yes, I totally agree," he told F1's official website, adding that he would happily switch to Renault and have 2007 world champion Raikkonen as his new teammate.

"Kimi would be a great and very strong teammate," he said.

Previously thought the strongest contender for a Lotus seat next year, the Genii-managed GP2 champion Romain Grosjean will test BMW's new DTM car in Spain this week.

"I dream of returning to racing in F1," the Frenchman is quoted by Finland's Turun Sanomat, "and especially with Kimi it could be something really special in terms of my career."

Another contender is Vitaly Petrov, who actually has a valid contract for 2012. But the Russian and his manager Oksana Kosachenko have admitted that paperwork is not everything in the world of formula one.

"Of course I was surprised and of course I'm disappointed," he is quoted by Germany's Sport1, referring to the fact that the Raikkonen signing triggered speculation about his own future.

Petrov told the Race of Champions website he is hoping for news in "a few days".

"Next year I would do another step and, together with Kimi in one team, it would be good fun," he said.

"He is experienced and I want very much to be part of this team."

According to the words of team owner Gerard Lopez, however, a change of approach for 2012 sounds the most likely route for Lotus.

"We've given some drivers the chance to shine. I think they have done ok, but have not all lived up to expectations, but it's difficult because it's formula one," he said.

Latest F1 News - Mobile version

26 Feb: New Ferrari not quickest in field - Domenicali 26 Feb: Red Bull still best in 2013 - Tost 26 Feb: 2014 French grand prix 'possible' - Prost 26 Feb: Danica Patrick 'not interested' in F1 switch 26 Feb: Report - Gilles Simon working on F1 engine for Honda 26 Feb: Gutierrez plays down link to Carlos Slim 26 Feb: Caterham exhaust 'legal' insists van der Garde 26 Feb: McLaren replaces Mercedes-bound Lowe 25 Feb: 'Engine maps' trouble for Red Bull, Lotus - report 25 Feb: Mercedes-bound Lowe to miss 2013 opener - report 25 Feb: Mercedes 'in group of teams' behind Red Bull - Lauda 25 Feb: Gutierrez expects Hulkenberg to beat him early in 2013 25 Feb: New Ferrari 'much better' than 2012 - Massa 25 Feb: Teams 'will adapt' to new tyre situation - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Tight rules make today's F1 cars 'the same' - Forghieri 25 Feb: Williams removes controversial exhaust trick 25 Feb: Contract 'conflicts' cause of Marussia test snub - Razia 25 Feb: Lotus to fight Red Bull for title - Gutierrez 25 Feb: Marussia 'ahead of Caterham' - Chilton 25 Feb: Sutil will not stay in F1 as test driver The latest F1 News - Mobile Version

F1 News  F1 Schedule  F1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  F1 Tickets  Live F1 Coverage

Full Version: Formula 1 News  Formula 1 Schedule  Formula 1 Line-up  Constructors' Championship  Drivers' Championship  Live F1 Coverage  10 'n' Pole  F1 Regulations  The Forums  Motorsport Shop  F1 Merchandise  F1 Tickets  F1 Diecast  F1 Videos  F1 Games