It has been announced that 2007 Formula 1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen will be returning to the NASCAR Cup series this year to compete at the Circuit of the Americas, once again with Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91.
The famous Finn competed in the Project 91 car last year at Watkins Glen International, where he was amongst the top 10 before crashing into a barrier following a restart.
The former Ferrari driver injured his wrist in the process, but it didn’t take away the “fantastic time” that he had.
He’s excited, though, to be making his return at a circuit he knows very well, with it actually being the place he claimed his final win in F1 in 2018.
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“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR,” said Raikkonen, as reported by Autosport.
“There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, the competition was a big challenge.
“This time I get to race on a track I am familiar with so there won’t be as steep of a learning curve. I want to have fun, but also do as well as we can.”
Raikkonen has raced at the host of the United States Grand Prix eight times to-date, with no test days expected to take place for the popular Finn before he competes in the NASCAR Cup round at COTA.
Trackhouse co-owner Justin Marks is incredibly pleased to welcome Raikkonen back into the team, with Marks remembering fondly the “superstar” reception the Finn received from the fans.
“When we announced Kimi last year I said he was the global superstar I had in mind when we created Project 91. I think you saw the fan reception across the world and Kimi’s performance in the car was proof of the concept,” Marks said.
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“Kimi’s following is massive and it’s great for NASCAR, Trackhouse plus I think Kimi really enjoys our racing.”
The aim of the Trackhouse Project 91 is to field “world class” drivers from different championships in the NASCAR Cup, something which certainly grabs heaps of attention from the world.
Raikkonen will likely be watched closely come the race by the F1 community, given his incredible popularity.