Kimi Raikkonen set for racing return in one-off NASCAR appearance

F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen will return to the track in August in a one-off NASCAR appearance in New York as the former world champion insists he’s sure he can ‘figure out’ his new car

• Kimi Raikkonen retired from F1 at the end of the 2021 season with Alfa Romeo
• The 42-year-old Finnish driver won the world championship with Ferrari in 2007
• He performed admirably as a rally driver in a  two-year break from Formula One 
• Raikkonen will drive for Trackhouse Racing at New York’s Watkins Glen racetrack

Formula One Legend Kimi Raikkonen is set for a return to the driver’s seat when he takes part in a one-off race in the NASCAR cup.

He will compete for Trackhouse Racing Team at New York’s Watkins Glen racetrack in August.

The 42-year-old won the F1 world championship with Ferrari in 2007 and picked up 103 podium finishes across his career. 

Kimi Raikkonen won the Formula One Drivers’ world championship with Ferrari back in 2007

He retired from the sport at the end of his 2021 season with Alfa Romeo, two decades after his debut.

In quotes carried by Planet F1, Raikkonen said: ‘Hopefully we have a good race and good fun. Obviously it’s a new car and I’ve never been at the track. But I’m sure we can figure it out.’

‘We had more talks about it, how would it work, where the race would be, and all sorts of other things. There’s a lot of things involved, and it all made sense for me.’

It’s claimed Raikkonen will head to the United States for a test run in a Chevrolet car before racing in a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Watkins Glen event.

The veteran will also undergo some simulator sessions as part of his preparation.

Raikkonen previously took part in the 2011 Nationwide Series during a break from F1

The Finnish driver has raced in NASCAR tournaments before, appearing in the 2011 Nationwide Series during a break from F1.

He finished a respectable 15th out of 37 on his debut in North Carolina.

Raikkonen has also tried his hand in the World Rally Championship, winning one stage in two seasons.

He continued: ‘We can prepare for everything and at least have done the work 100% right and what the outcome is, nobody knows. We’ll at least give ourselves the best chance that we can.’

‘We’ll try to do a good race there and enjoy it, and see what the future brings. I have no other plans.

‘That’s what I have right now, and we’ll go from there. What comes after that? I don’t know, nobody knows.’ 

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