As we await news on who will replace Kimi Raikkonen at Lotus for the two remaining races of the season, it has been revealed that the Enstone outfit approached Michael Schumacher.

For the seven-time world champion, a return to Enstone would have seen him move full circle, the German having joined the team - then known as Benetton - days after making his F1 debut with Jordan at Spa Francorchamps in 1991. Winning two titles with Benetton he subsequently moved to Ferrari where he spent twelve seasons during which time he won five more titles.

Having retired at the end of 2006, he was lured back to racing by Mercedes in 2010 and after three largely unrewarding seasons retired again at the end of 2012.

With Raikkonen heading off for surgery on his back in order to be fit for his return to Ferrari next season – the Finn, ironically, having replaced Schumacher at Maranello in 2007, Lotus called on its former star to fill the void.

However, as the German's spokeswoman Sabine Kehm confirmed, though Schumacher wasn't entirely surprised to get the call he is in no desire to return to the grid.

"Michael's performance against Nico and Nico's performance against Lewis made a lot of people aware of how good Michael still was," she said, a clear reference to those who said his return to F1 had been a disaster.

"He is still very fit,” she added, "but he just feels so good in his new life."

There has been speculation - isn't there always - that Nico Hulkenberg had also been approached, Lotus no doubt using the promise of a 2014 seat as an incentive but Sauber soon put the kibosh on that, insisting: "Nico is driving for us for the last two races. Full stop." Indeed, it's understood the Swiss team even brought Hulkenberg's back pay up to date in case he tried using a legal route to switch teams.

As a result there is increasing speculation that Heikki Kovalainen will get the gig. As the Austin weekend gets underway today, we should only need to wait a few more hours before Lotus makes an announcement.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Maria, 14/11/2013 13:26

"@AMG It is full of money just that it doesn't go to the teams who need it most. Most of the earnings just goes to the crook Bernie and his shareholders. "

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2. Posted by AMG, 14/11/2013 11:12

"So Kovalainen is going to due a couple of races for the crack but with no pay. F1 is in big trouble at the moment as all the middle to bottom teams are not paying their suppliers and the suppliers will go bust. The public still think that F1 is full of money!"

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Lotus offered seat to Schumacher

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