(CNN) -- Kimi Raikkonen will return to Formula One in 2012, after Renault announced on Tuesday that the 2007 world champion has signed a two-year deal with the team. The Finn won the drivers' championship with Ferrari in 2007 before leaving the sport in 2009, but he will return next season after spending time in the World Rally Championship and NASCAR. "I'm delighted to be coming back to Formula 1 after a two-year break, and I'm grateful to Lotus Renault GP for offering me this opportunity," the 32-year-old told the team's official website. "My time in the World Rally Championship has been a useful stage in my career as a driver, but I can't deny the fact that my hunger for F1 has recently become overwhelming.
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2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to F1 in 2012
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The 32-year-old Finn has signed a two-year deal with Renault
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Raikkonen initially left F1 in 2009 and has since raced in WRC and NASCAR
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Renault team boss Eric Boullier says Raikkonen's motivation is "huge"
Boullier said Renault, who will compete under the @placeholder name in 2012, were still yet to decide who would partner Raikkonen after they were represented by three drivers last season.