Kimi Raikkonen pleased with new Lotus

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.