Jenson Button will make a shock NASCAR debut later this month when he faces fellow F1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen.
Button, aged 43, retired from F1 in 2016 after struggling for form while driving for McLaren and has since continued racing in Super GT and the World Endurance Championship. The British star is now jumping into NASCAR and will debut at the Circuit of the Americas on March 26 - the first of a three-race Cup Series run.
He will be joined in the race by Raikkonen who won the F1 world championship in 2007 and took 21 Grand Prix victories over a career spanning 20 years.
Button will partner with Stewart Haas Racing for the three Cup Series events - with the second two race dates yet to be confirmed.
Speaking about the opportunity Button told The Associated Press: “Two F1 world champions in a NASCAR race. Who would have ever predicted that? A lot of people think I’m crazy for doing this because it’s so different, but that’s why I love the challenge of it. For me, it’s not about how quick the car is, it’s about how close the racing can be.
“In the Cup Series, the racing is awesome. It’s definitely going to be a shock to the system, but a toe in the water, so to speak, and hopefully help me be more competitive the next time I do it.”
Button is preparing to drive a NASCAR machine at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. Despite stating that the two projects are not linked the three races will give him valuable experience in a similar car.
Despite being 43 years old Button showed he still has lightening quick reactions after winning a Guinness World Record on a Batak board recently. Button will follow the lead of Finish driver Raikkonen who raced in NASCAR at Watkins Glen last season.
The Iceman jumped straight into the action and was in the top 10 at one point until a crash resulted in him retiring by the midway point with a wrist injury. Raikkonen will be representing Trackhouse Racing as their Project 91 driver at the Circuit of the Americas.
"I had a fantastic time in NASCAR," said Raikkonen. "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."
