Räikkönen in Nascar: this is confirmed

Barely the information that Kimi Räikkönen was considering running in Nascar she began to filter that already her former teammate within the stable McLaren in 2005 and 2006 were delighted with this good news.

“People talk a lot and I’ve heard this story going around before” commented the Colombian. “If he actually comes, it would be really good for him and for the show. He would really be welcome here.”

Räikkönen's agent, Steve Robertson, then confirmed yesterday that: “Kimi will drive in certain Nascar races”. Finally, the 2007 world champion announced today that he will make his debut on May 20 in the Truck Series (the 3rd division of Nascar) at the Charlotte Speedway (North Carolina). He will race within the ICE1 Racing team with whom he will also compete in eight rounds in WRC at the wheel of the Citroën DS3. Without a doubt, Räikkönen is aiming higher and subsequently plans to compete against the big names in the Natiowide and Sprint Cup Series where he will indeed meet Juan-Pablo Montoya.

“I’m really looking forward to being there and discovering the world of Nascar” he commented to our colleagues at Turun Sanomat. “I know it’s a very competitive and open championship. Obviously, it promises to be very difficult but very exciting for me”

Other drivers F1 have recently also tried their luck in Nascar with more or less success. Jacques Villeneuve, Scott Speed ​​and even Nelson Piquet Jr last year. But Juan-Pablo remains the only one to have fully integrated himself since his arrival at the Chip Ganassi Racing team in 2007, winning his first victory in the premier class on the Sonoma road circuit in 2007, then again, at Watkins Glen last season.