Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen will return to racing later this month when he competes for Trackhouse Racing in the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA.
Raikkonen, who made one NASCAR cup start for Trackhouse Racing last year at Watkins Glen, returns to the site of his final F1 win, where he battled Lewis Hamilton for victory in 2018.
The Finn, who retired from F1 in 2021, made a couple of appearances in NASCAR’s Nationwide and Camping world truck series in 2011 during his hiatus from the series.
“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR,” said Raikkonen in a Trackhouse racing statement.
“There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, [and] 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.”
F1 drivers who have tried NASCAR
Raikkonen is one of many ex-F1 drivers who have tried their hand at NASCAR, with Daniil Kvyat and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve making appearances for Team Hezeburg in 2022.
Former McLaren driver Juan Pablo Montoya competed in the cup series for five seasons driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, taking victory in the 2007 Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma.
Nelson Piquet Jr and Narain Karthikeyan appeared in the Camping world truck series in the 2010s, with the Brazilian taking three wins in 2012 and finishing 10th in the standings.
F1 world champion in 1978, Mario Andretti, remains the only F1 driver to win the prestigious Daytona 500, back in 1967, when he led 112 laps and beating series legends Richard Petty and Donnie Allison.
