F1 Legend Kimi Raikkonen to Return to NASCAR Racing at the Track Where he Won his Last Race

Last year, the Trackhouse Racing team pretty much broke the Internet. This was because they launched their ambitious Project 91, which would have drivers from different disciplines in the #91 car. The first driver to be part of the project was none other than the 2007 F1 world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, at Watkins Glen International. Now, the Finnish driver will be back in the saddle once again, this time at the Circuit of The Americas (COTA).

Last year at The Glen, he was performing decently in the race until a mayhem on the track forced him to crash out. Fortunately, Trackhouse Racing is giving the popular Finn a second bite at the cherry, and fans could not be more thrilled. In Formula One circles, Raikkonen’s popularity could rival Chase Elliott’s, and his presence will surely bring more fan attention to the race in COTA.

Kimi Raikkonen has a great history at the Circuit of The Americas

It is worth mentioning that when Raikkonen was in Formula One, his last F1 victory was at COTA. That win came all the way back in 2018, his final year with Scuderia Ferrari. In the process, he became the owner of a unique record in Formula One, one that will never be broken. He is the only driver to secure a win in the V10, V8 and V6 Turbo eras.

READ MORE: “If He Has the Drink, He Can Win”: NASCAR & F1 Fans Shake off Differences to Welcome the Possible Return of F1 Legend

During that 2018 race at Circuit of The Americas, he qualified in third place. This put him behind pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton and Raikkonen’s teammate at the time, Sebastian Vettel. However, the Finnish veteran powered through to triumph ahead of the eventual World Champion, Hamilton.

Following the news of his return to NASCAR was tweeted by Adam Stern of the Sports Business Journal, fans thronged the comments section with their varied reactions. Let’s take a look at a few.

Of course, it would be foolish to assume that Raikkonen stands a chance of winning at COTA. However, it would not be a stretch to suggest that a great result for the Finn is on the cards. Especially when it is at a track that he knows far better than any NASCAR Cup Series driver.

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