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Eric Boullier insists Red Bull target Kimi Raikkonen can already see Lotus strength

Enstone team to hold further talks as they bid to hold on to Kimi

Lotus boss Eric Boullier is adamant that his team are capable of 'matching' Red Bull and therefore retaining star driver Kimi Raikkonen beyond the end of the season.

The Lotus Team Principal also played down the suggestion that the possibility of reuniting with F1's pre-eminent deisgn genius Adrian Newey at Red Bull could tempt Raikkonen to make the switch. "All that matters for Kimi is to win in a positive environment - nothing else," Boullier insisted. "There are always differences from one team to the other, but I think we can easily match Red Bull Racing. Kimi is not in for the next ten years, but for the few years he is planning to stay he wants to enjoy it, win races and if possible the championship. That's it." Should Raikkonen ultimately depart for Red Bull then Lotus would clearly be the prime opening for drivers looking to move up to the grid in 2014, with names such as Nico Hulkenberg and Paul Di Resta already linked to the team in recent weeks. The inconsistent Romain Grosjean's future beyond the end of the season is far from certain either and although Boullier hinted that he certainly wouldn't want to lose both drivers over the winter - "I would prefer continuity" - admitted that a number of drivers had already approached them over a 2014 seat. "I always have a plan B and we are in a favourable position in that after some big names we are the most desired team," Boullier said. "A lot of drivers are talking to us, so should the white sheet situation occur I have a plan B but I will not share that now!"

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