Michael Schumacher turns down offer to drive for Lotus Michael Schumacher has turned down an offer from Lotus to come out of retirement and drive in the final two races of the season. The 44-year-old, the seven-time world champion, declined the invitation to replace the injured Kimi Raikkonen. Raikkonen's place will now be filled by fellow Finn Heikki Kovalainen, according to the Press Association. Lotus are set to make an announcement on Thursday morning in Texas ahead of Sunday's United States Grand Prix. It is true they were asking and I can understand why. Everyone can see Michael is still very fit," Schumacher's manager Sabine Kehm told BBC Sport. I think it is fair to assume Michael would still be strong but he has happily settled in his new life. A back injury means Raikkonen will miss the race in Austin on Sunday followed by the season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix in Interlagos seven days later. The 34-year-old will drive for Ferrari, one of Schumacher's former teams, next season. Schumacher retired in 2006 after a decade with Ferrari, but made a comeback with Mercedes in 2010. The German retired again at the end of last season, making way for Lewis Hamilton.