Kimi Raikkonen has said that his first impressions of the new Lotus E20 were positive after it was unveiled yesterday.
The Finnish driver is making a return to Formula One following a spell away from the sport.
He left Ferrari after the 2009 season and has been driving in the World Rally Championship in recent years.
He is making a return to F1 with the renamed team Lotus Renault after signing a two-year contract.
"It's great to see the E20 at a race circuit and even better to get behind the wheel," said Raikkonen following the launch of the new car.
"It's always frustrating to be in a new car and not be able to drive it at maximum attack, but thankfully I will have that opportunity for the next two days.
"My initial impressions are good, I fit comfortably in the car and it feels great in first and second gear; now let's see what it can do tomorrow."
Lotus's chairman Gerard Lopez has set the team a target of finishing fourth in the constructors' championship this year.
Pascal Lemesre
