Former Formula 1 driver and world rally competitor Kimi Raikkonen has officially applied to start racing in one of the three top NASCAR series next month.
Following the surprise “rumour” that the ex-Ferrari F1 driver will enter selected rounds of the Truck series this year, NASCAR has confirmed via Twitter that the Finn's request had been approved.
NASCAR also directly confirmed the news to Auto123.com NASCAR correspondent Lewis Franck.
“I can confirm that Kimi Raikkonen requested and was approved for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20,” said Amanda Jones Ellis, Manager of Communications, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Raikkonen will race with ICE1 Racing, with which he will also compete in at least eight rounds of the World Rally Championship this season, driving a private Citroen DS3.
However, there’s still no official word about the truck he’ll be driving, and the sponsors.
“That info is not available until the entry forms are submitted,” wrote the NASCAR Truck Series officials on their Twitter page.
Another former F1 driver, Nelson Piquet Jr. who drives in the Truck Series for Kevin Harvick Inc. will battle against Raikkonen in Charlotte. This is what he had to say about Kimi’s arrival in NASCAR.
“I think it's great for the series to have Kimi Raikkonen decide to enter NASCAR and race in the trucks, and it will be great for him to know what American racing is all about,” said Piquet.
"I think it would be cool and exciting," said Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and four-time Sprint Cup champion.
"Being a fan of Formula 1 racing, I've watched Kimi compete and win in that series, and I think it would be great to have him racing in NASCAR."
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 World Champion told Auto123.com: “He’s going to have fun. If the news is true, he’s doing the right thing by starting in the Truck series”.
“However, I think the driving won’t be a problem for him. His biggest challenge will be off the race track. He’ll need to open up socially. NASCAR is not a closed environment like F1 is. You need to respect the other drivers and socialise. He’s racing in different series and seems to really enjoy life. But since Kimi has not officially confirmed the news, it’s quite difficult to make comments,” Villeneuve said to Auto123.com.
"I am sure Kimi will do well in NASCAR providing he receives the correct guidance from an experienced team,” said Steve Hallam, Vice-President of Competition at MWR.
“We have seen several notable names from other motorsport disciplines struggle without the technical and financial backing in place to allow them to learn and understand this very difficult discipline."
Following the surprise “rumour” that the ex-Ferrari F1 driver will enter selected rounds of the Truck series this year, NASCAR has confirmed via Twitter that the Finn's request had been approved.
NASCAR also directly confirmed the news to Auto123.com NASCAR correspondent Lewis Franck.
“I can confirm that Kimi Raikkonen requested and was approved for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 20,” said Amanda Jones Ellis, Manager of Communications, NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
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| Photo: WRI2 |
Raikkonen will race with ICE1 Racing, with which he will also compete in at least eight rounds of the World Rally Championship this season, driving a private Citroen DS3.
However, there’s still no official word about the truck he’ll be driving, and the sponsors.
“That info is not available until the entry forms are submitted,” wrote the NASCAR Truck Series officials on their Twitter page.
Another former F1 driver, Nelson Piquet Jr. who drives in the Truck Series for Kevin Harvick Inc. will battle against Raikkonen in Charlotte. This is what he had to say about Kimi’s arrival in NASCAR.
“I think it's great for the series to have Kimi Raikkonen decide to enter NASCAR and race in the trucks, and it will be great for him to know what American racing is all about,” said Piquet.
"I think it would be cool and exciting," said Jeff Gordon, driver of the No. 24 Drive to End Hunger Chevrolet in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and four-time Sprint Cup champion.
"Being a fan of Formula 1 racing, I've watched Kimi compete and win in that series, and I think it would be great to have him racing in NASCAR."
Canadian Jacques Villeneuve, the 1997 F1 World Champion told Auto123.com: “He’s going to have fun. If the news is true, he’s doing the right thing by starting in the Truck series”.
“However, I think the driving won’t be a problem for him. His biggest challenge will be off the race track. He’ll need to open up socially. NASCAR is not a closed environment like F1 is. You need to respect the other drivers and socialise. He’s racing in different series and seems to really enjoy life. But since Kimi has not officially confirmed the news, it’s quite difficult to make comments,” Villeneuve said to Auto123.com.
"I am sure Kimi will do well in NASCAR providing he receives the correct guidance from an experienced team,” said Steve Hallam, Vice-President of Competition at MWR.
“We have seen several notable names from other motorsport disciplines struggle without the technical and financial backing in place to allow them to learn and understand this very difficult discipline."