Lotus appear poised to confirm an investment deal has finally been agreed that would avert the threat of Kimi Raikkonen boycotting the last two races of the Formula One season and allow the team to sign Nico Huelkenberg.

Negotiations with Mansoor Ijaz, chairman of a consortium of private investors known as Quantum Motorsports who are buying a 35 per cent stake in the team, have been long and complicated.

But Lotus’ long-standing financial issues, which have resulted in the Enstone-based team failing to pay Raikkonen any of his £10 million salary this season, are on the brink of finally being resolved.

The Finn revealed on Friday, after failing to show in Abu Dhabi the previous day for his media commitments ahead of the grand prix, that he almost opted to boycott the weekend altogether.

But to avoid reneging on his side of the deal, Raikkonen did turn up, only to then crash out on the first lap after starting at the back of the grid as a penalty for a technical infringement in qualifying.

Conspiracy theorists immediately suggested the move was a deliberate one on Raikkonen’s part, which in turn would lead to him missing the final two grands prix in the United States and Brazil.

Ijaz, however, has insisted the matter will be resolved with the 34-year-old, who is joining Ferrari next season, as he said: “I met with Kimi’s manager Steve Robertson – I’ve apologised to Steve, we’ve apologised to Kimi.

“We intend to not only make sure they (the unpaid wages) are made whole, and then some, but we are intending to also compensate our employees and management team.

“I am confident he will run the last two races and fulfil his professional obligations to us, and us to him.”