Former F1 driver Kimi Raikkonen announces NASCAR move, joining Trackhouse Racing Team
- Sean Fisher
- 27 May 2022
After calling time on his Formula 1 career at the end of last season, Kimi Raikkonen has already announced his return, with the Iceman making a move to NASCAR.
After enjoying an 18-year career in Formula 1, Kimi Raikkonen announced his retirement last season, but the 42-year-old has already made a return to racing months later.
But instead of rejoining the F1 grid, Raikonnen has announced he'll be joining NASCAR, with the Finn expected to make his debut this summer for Trackhouse Racing Team.
Raikkonen's F1 career saw him become a world champion in 2007 with Ferrari, when he pipped both Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso to the title by one point.
The 'Iceman' also spent time at McLaren, Lotus and Alfa Romeo during his career, racking up 21 wins, 103 podiums and 18 pole positions as he etched his name in the F1 history books.
But just six months on from his F1 retirement, Raikkonen is back in motorsport, and will be back behind the wheel in a few months time, with the Finn driving the No.91 Chevrolet Camaro in the road race at Watkins Glenn on August 21st.
Raikkonen confirmed the news on Thursday via Instagram, and added that he was convinced to join the project by PROJECT91 CEO Justin Marks.
"I wasn't looking to race again, but Justin Marks came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch programme," said Raikkonen.
"This will be fun, but it's something I will take very seriously. I know how competitive the NASCAR Cup Series is, and it will be a big challenge."
Unknown to many, Raikkonen actually competed in NASCAR before, during his two-year hiatus from Formula 1.
🚨 The Ice Man returns to racing!
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) May 26, 2022
Kimi Raikkonen will attend a race in the NASCAR Cup Series with Trackhouse Racing at Watkins Glen 🇺🇸
Are you excited to see Kimi back in a race car? 💬#NASCAR #F1 #KimiRaikkonen #Motorsport pic.twitter.com/cNBIvgdHjY
After leaving Ferrari at the end of 2009, Raikkonen enjoyed small stints at rally driving and then NASCAR, joining up with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2011 to run a limited schedule in the Truck Series - he returned to the F1 grid in 2012 with Lotus.
Raikkonen's commital to the PROJECT91 team makes him the first driver to sign up for the racing programme, which is designed to "showcase the talent of racing drivers from all around the world".
