LOL.
The situation around the Lotus seat is getting quite interesting - if you can believe all you read. Lotus and Ferrari are engaged in combat for third, maybe even second sport in the Constructors Championship (which is what makes money for the teams). So, the story goes:
1) Raikkonen - going to Ferrari next year - was persuaded to take sick leave earlier than planned so as to make it a little harder for Lotus to score points.
2) Then Lotus tried to persuade Hulkenberg to fill in. They are talking to Hulkenberg about a seat for 2014, and Hulkenberg (like Raikkonen) hasn't been paid a cent this year and thus might be persuaded to drive for another team who are not paying their drivers
3) Ferrari then went to Sauber and offered to sort out Hulkenberg's back pay as long as he was not released to drive for Lotus.
4) Lotus then offered the drive to Michael Schumacher!
In the meantime Lotus have now got Kovalainen on loan from the Caterham team, but that, reportedly, is with quid pro quo that they allow an early exit for two of their design staff who intend to join Caterham.
