Kimi Raikkonen faces a return to motorsport. The Finn announced on Thursday that the former Formula 1 world champion will compete in the NASCAR race in August.
Raikkonen, 42, will drive at Watkins Glen on August 21 for the Trackhouse team in the NASCAR Cup Series, the highest level in NASCAR. In 2011, Räikkönen also drove and raced a truck in the Xfinity Series, NASCAR’s second highest class.
August will see Raikkonen’s first official race since leaving Formula 1. He concluded his long career in the motorsport class with Alfa Romeo last year.
“After my Formula 1 career, I had no intention of doing anything serious in motorsport,” Raikkonen said in his announcement. “This came my way and after a number of good conversations I decided to step in.”
“It’s only one race, so my family doesn’t have to worry about me being around too much again. I’ve always enjoyed racing in the States. I hope we have a good race and have a lot of fun.”
With no fewer than 353 Grand Prix entries, Räikkönen is the most experienced Formula 1 driver ever. He drove to Sauber, McLaren, Lotus, Ferrari and Alfa Romeo. He won the world title at Ferrari in 2007.
Kimi Räikkönen actually led a race at the second highest level in NASCAR in 2011.
Kimi Räikkönen actually led a race at the second highest level in NASCAR in 2011.
picture: Getty Images
