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Kimi Raikkonen will remain in Formula 1 with Lotus for the 2013 season.

The 32-year-old Finn, with Ferrari in 2007, returned to the sport this season having spent two years competing in world rallying.

He signed a two-year deal but needed to satisfy performance clauses to remain with the outfit for a second campaign.

"I think my return to Formula 1 has gone pretty well," said Raikkonen. "I didn't expect to be fighting for the drivers' championship this season."

Raikkonen is third in the drivers' standings but trails championship leader Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull by 67 points with 75 on offer from the three remaining races.

The Finn has scored points in all but one of the 17 races so far this season, including six podiums.

He added: "It has been great to be on the podium so many times and to score points on a regular basis.

"I feel very comfortable with Lotus F1 Team and we share the same philosophy of racing. Continuing with the team was an obvious choice for me."

Team principal Eric Boullier said: "Kimi has made an exceptional comeback to Formula 1.

"For Lotus F1 Team to be fighting for such strong championship positions this year is in no small part attributed to Kimi's talent and experience of racing."

The Finn entered F1 raising eyebrows when scoring a point on his debut at the Australian Grand Prix.

Raikkonen spent five years with McLaren with whom he won the title in his first season.

But, after struggling in the next two seasons,

In two seasons with Citroen, his best result in a rally was fifth.

The Finn was tipped for a return to McLaren in 2010 before negotiations broke down over money and team boss Martin Whitmarsh instead turned to Jenson Button.

But last November he returned to F1 by signing for Lotus - then known as Renault.