Lotus boss Eric Boullier insists the team isn't bitter about Kimi Raikkonen's decision to re-sign with Ferrari for theඣ 2🃏014 F1 season.

After two years at Enstone, Raikkonen will return to the team that carried him to the 2007 title aft🍰er being confirmed as partner to Fernando Alonso on a two-year deal.

Lotus had been keen to keep the Finn onboard but proved to be unable to agree a deal, and while he was disappointed to see the 33-year-old depart, Boullier ins𝔍isted the team wasn't bitter.

"Not at all," he said. "Two years ag✨o, when we decided to sign him, quite a few people thought we were crazy. And wha🐈t happened in the end? We've been working with an amazing racer, who scored points for the team 27 times in a row, won two races, put motivation at a very high level at Enstone, and got on very well with his team-mate.

"Of course this is a disappointment to all of us, and we're sure you will agree that Kimi has been nothing but bri✃lliant since he joined us. In the same breath, Enstone has once again proven its pedigree; providing him with two great cars and making his return to Formula 1 a success. It's been a win-win situation right♊ from the beginning."

With Raikkonen⭕'s move now confirmed, Boullier said it was important for Lotus to now look to the future with a decision to be made 'shortly' on who would come in as his replacement.

"Now, it's time to think about the future," he said. "You know, we remain a medium-sized team and there are some areas in which we're not in a position to fight against the🀅 other top teams just yet. We've had Schumacher, Alonso, Raikkonen. New champions will join the list here soon I'm sure.

"We are currently in discussion with a✨ few people and will make a decision sho🦂rtly. We are in the privileged position of being the most desirable team on the grid with a seat available, so we are therefore in no rush to announce anyone without establishing what will be the best for our team and the future."