Aditya ChaudhuriFormer Formula One champion Kimi Räikkönen is all set to make his return to racing after announcing his return to NASCAR with the Trackhouse Racing team.
Räikkönen will drive Trackhouse’ PROJECT91 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at the Circuit of The Americas on March 26, 2023, in the NASCAR Cup Series. The 43-year-old Finn had previously made his debut with PROJECT91 last August at Watkins Glen International.
Trackhouse Racing — a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group — fields the No. 99 and the No. 1 Chevrolets with drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain in the NASCAR Cup Series. Räikkönen will drive the No.91 Onc/iLOQ Chevrolet Camaro.
Speaking about his decision to return to racing, Räikkönen said:
“I had a fantastic time in NASCAR. There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, 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.
“I’m sure there are a lot of drivers that would like to have a chance to try NASCAR. It’s not very easy, so maybe it will open some doors in the future for more chances to try and get more Europeans into the sport.“
Justin Marks, Founder and Owner, Trackhouse, commented:
“When we announced Kimi last year, I said he was the global superstar I had in mind when we created PROJECT91. I think you saw the fan reception across the world and Kimi’s performance in the car was proof of the concept. Kimi’s following is massive and it’s great for NASCAR, Trackhouse plus I think Kimi really enjoys our racing.“
Räikkönen, who made his Formula One debut in 2001, won the World Championship with Ferrari in 2007 and retired at the end of the 2021 season, having driven for teams like Sauber, McLaren, Ferrari, Lotus and Alfa Romeo. Till date, he remains the last driver to have won the Drivers’ title with Ferrari.
