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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Marc Mayo

Kimi Raikkonen to make unexpected motorsport return in NASCAR after F1 retirement

Kimi Raikkonen will make his return to motorsport later this year after signing up for a one-off race in NASCAR.

Only a few months into his retirement from Formula One, the Finnish racer has agreed to hop in a Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Team Trackhouse at Watkins Glen in August.

The team is owned by ex-racer Justin Marks and rapper Pitbull, with Marks showing up at Raikkonen’s house to persuade him to sign up.

“I wasn't looking to race again, but Justin came to my home in Switzerland and convinced me how serious he was about putting together a top-notch program," 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.”

Raikkonen, 42, won the 2007 F1 championship before retiring at the end of the 2021 season.

He has raced in NASCAR twice before, both at Charlotte Speedway in 2011.

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