![\"Eric-Boulier-1\"](\"https:\/\/www.racinginfocus.com\/rif\/gallery\/f1-2012-rif-images\/f1-12-people\/Eric-Boulier-1.jpg\")
When the Finn returned to the sport last year after a rally and Nascar sabbatical, his contract included a base retainer and big bonuses for points.<\/p>\nTeam boss Eric Boullier says it is “likely” Kimi Raikkonen is departing Lotus as the highest paid driver in formula one.<\/p>\n
When the Finn returned to the sport last year after a rally and Nascar sabbatical, his contract included a base retainer and big bonuses for points.<\/p>\n
The deal caught Lotus by surprise.<\/p>\n
“We knew he would be good, and we knew we would be good, but we didn’t know it would be that good!” team owner Gerard Lopez smiled recently.<\/p>\n
Now, after Raikkonen said he is leaving for Ferrari next year only because his pay is late, the 33-year-old’s dream pairing with Lotus is ending somewhat sourly.<\/p>\n
Asked by Speed Week to say what the 2007 world champion brought to the team, boss Boullier answered: “That is difficult to define.<\/p>\n
“Without us, Kimi’s return to F1 would have been a different picture,” he said.<\/p>\n
“Can you imagine how it would have been if he had signed for Williams and not us?\u00a0 We built everything around Kimi.<\/p>\n
“I think as a Lotus driver he became even more interesting to the fans.\u00a0 He gained in popularity,” said the Frenchman.<\/p>\n
“If he had retired after his rally phase, I think Kimi Raikkonen would be forgotten today,” added Boullier.<\/p>\n
“We gave him the right tools to get his self-confidence back.”<\/p>\n
Told of the rumour that Raikkonen is the highest paid driver in 2013, Boullier smiled before answering: “That is quite likely.”<\/p>\n
So now, with Raikkonen departing, Boullier confirmed that Romain Grosjean is staying at Lotus in 2014.<\/p>\n
And with Nico Hulkenberg and Felipe Massa the front-runners to replace Raikkonen, Boullier said he is looking for “Someone who is uncomfortable for Romain”.<\/p>\n
“I don’t want him to be in a cocoon of well-being.”<\/p>\n
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