Räikkönen between Nascar, Rally, and Formula One
The 2007 Formula One World Champion made his debut in Nascar at Charlotte but is not closing any doors regarding his future.
After Formula One and the World Rally Championship, Kimi Räikkönen made his debut last night in NASCAR, in the Truck Series championship, which some would describe as the third national division of the American Stock Car championship.
The Finn was, in any case, welcomed with open arms as illustrated by the statements of Brett Bodine: “He’s a Formula One world champion. I don’t know if there are any better credentials than that, you know,” says the chairman of the licensing committee.
The former McLaren and Ferrari driver delivered a solid first outing by finishing 15th after qualifying 31st on the Charlotte circuit, following a turbulent race. The Finn took advantage of the first two yellow flags to gain positions, climbing up to 7th place. However, his tires began to lose effectiveness when Kyle Busch, the owner of Räikkönen’s car, caused another yellow flag by spinning out, allowing ‘Iceman’ to pit with the pack without losing too many places and finish in the Top 15.
« The race was very nice, it’s new for me, but there are too many neutralizations » confides the 2007 world champion, as the race was indeed marked by 10 yellow flags and numerous incidents. « Every time, as soon as you feel the car is working better, there’s a neutralization and it takes time to get your feelings back » explains the driver who flirted with the wall twice.
But Räikkönen readily admits it, there is still much to learn and improve, but we have not encountered any major problems.
In any case, the Finnish driver made an impression, and some information suggests he might be propelled into the Nationwide Series, the second division of Nascar, as early as next week. However, if that were to be the case, it wouldn’t be with the same car, as Kyle Busch confirms: “We don’t have a license for the Nationwide, and neither do our mechanics. It will have to be with someone else. […] You’ll find out next week.”
Asked by Autosport about his career plan in Nascar, the Finn admits he doesn’t have one: « I have a rally program this year, so Nascar is when I have the time. » The Finnish driver has indeed only committed to a few races, each of which costs him $100,000.
But above all, Räikkönen doesn’t seem to have completely closed the chapter on Formula One, unlike other drivers who have left for the United States in recent years: « There are several reasons for my departure from Formula One. I’ve always said that I didn’t know if it would be permanent or not, but I don’t really miss it. I want to try other things and I had the opportunity to do Rally and now come here to experience what Nascar is. Maybe I’ll never return [to Formula One], maybe I will: only the future will tell. »
The former Ferrari driver does not see beyond 2011: « I have no plan for next year. I never really had a plan for this year before January, so we’ll have to wait to find out exactly what I’ll do next year. »
In the meantime, the Finn knows exactly where he will be next month since he will be participating in the Rally of Greece, but he could gain experience in Nascar by then, starting next week in the Nationwide Series.
