Former Alfa Romeo Formula 1 driver Kimi Raikkonen will be making a return to racing in the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen with Trackhouse Racing this summer.
This comes after Trackhouse Racing launched PROJECT91, a programme in which it would invite “famous worldwide racing drivers” to race its No. 90 Chevrolet in select NASCAR events.
Raikkonen, who retired from Formula 1 at the end of 2021 season, fits the team’s profile and will be the first international driver to drive Trackhouse’s Camaro ZL1, with his maiden excursion slated for August 21 at Watkins Glen’s.
when Raikkonen retired from Formula One, it was unknown whether he was retiring permanently or if he would return, with the 42-year-old looking to get away from the gruelling schedule and spend more time with his family. But, as it turns out, Raikkonen’s career as a driver is far from over.
He’ll be racing in the NASCAR Cup Series for Trackhouse Racing in the road course event at Watkins Glen on August 21. Raikkonen’s NASCAR appearance is now scheduled to be a one-time event, which he explained made sense in terms of maintaining the balance he enjoys with his family life.
We had more talks about it, how would it work, where the race would be, and all sorts of other things,” Raikkonen said.
“There’s a lot of things involved, and it all made sense for me. It’s one race, so it made sense for all of us as a family. I always enjoyed it when I had my few races [in the United States].
“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.”
Raikkonen said that he had the option of returning to racing sooner, but he chose the August event at the Glen.
“There were obviously options to do more this year, but I think it all came a bit too quickly, to try to do it as well as we can on all the sides,” Raikkonen said.
“I think it was better to wait until this race, so 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.”
“What comes after that? I don’t know, nobody knows,” added the 21-time Grand Prix winner.
“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.”
During his F1 vacation in 2011, the 2007 World Champion tried his hand at NASCAR, competing in rounds in the Nationwide Series and Truck Series with Kyle Much Motorsports.
