Kimi Brasil

Kimi Raikkonen has hit back at reports he is out of favour at Lotus.

The 2007 world champion’s return to Formula 1 this year initially went smoothly, but he has struggled more recently while newcomer teammate Romain Grosjean almost won the recent Canadian grand prix.

Not only that, there are reports his Enstone based employer is losing patience with the 32-year-old Finn’s attitude, especially regarding his demands for a better steering system and a rumoured rift over a rallying ban.

“I don’t know where you heard that,” Raikkonen told reporters at Valencia. “Go and ask the team and you will get the truth.”

Asked if he is still happy at Lotus, he insisted: “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Raikkonen did admit, however, that there has been some disappointment that the promise of the E20 car has not translated into a race win yet.

“We’ve been so close to certain results, so certain races have been a bit disappointing, and you are disappointed when you don’t win,” he said.