Alonso welcomes Raikkonen's return

2005 and 2006 Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso has welcomed 2007 Formula One World Champion Kimi Raikkonen back to the sport.

The duo spent those three years battling for the title, with Alonso coming out on top during his time at Renault, whilst Raikkonen took the title after he switched from McLaren to Ferrari.

Kimi Raikkonen was at the top of his sport and was reportedly equal 2nd highest paid athlete in the world, behind Golfer Tiger Woods when the Finn lost his form and with one year left on his contract was announced he would be leaving Ferrari, with Fernando Alonso replacing him.

Raikkonen was briefly linked with a return to McLaren and a move to Mercedes, but eventually it was announced that he would be leaving Formula One.

He ended the 2009 season making one appearance in the World Rally Championship, before joining Citroën in 2010 finishing the season 10th in the championship.

In 2011 he raced in 9 events in the World Rally Championship, but also made one appearance in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and one other appearance in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

The 32-year-old was linked with a return to F1 in 2011 with Renault and then this season was first linked with a move to the Williams team, before it was announced that he would be signing a two-year contract with Lotus [Renault].

'I welcome him back. He's a great driver,' Alonso said at a press conference in Madrid as quoted by Autosport Magazine.

'He's one of the drivers with the biggest talent on the grid, a world champion, a wonderful person... So it's going to be a pleasure to race alongside him.

'I'm not comparing him with anyone, but it's not the same to start a race and get to the first corner and have Kimi Raikkonen alongside you than having a young driver or a rookie. Fighting with champions like this gives you a different feeling and more security.