Finland’s Kimi Räikkönen is to sit out the Brazilian and US Grand Prixs as he undergoes surgery in Austria.
"The experts recommended surgery," Räikkönen’s manager Steve Robertson was quoted by Turun Sanomat as saying. "The procedure will happen this Thursday in Salzburg, Austria."
His recovery will last four weeks, during which time he has to rest. That means he will not race for Lotus again before he switches to Ferrari for the 2014 season. Last week he settled a long-running dispute with his team over unpaid wages.
"The most important thing is to take care of the injuries and to start next season in the fantastic shape," Robertson told Turun Sanomat.
Lotus are currently in third position in the constructors’ championship, thanks in large part to Räikkönen’s excellent form this year.
