via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 4, 2021 Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 4, 2021 Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Edgard Garrido
Ahead of the NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen, Denny Hamlin spoke about the much-anticipated debut of Kimi Raikkonen. The 2007 F1 world champion will be racing for Trackhouse Racing’s ambitious Project 91. Amid all the excitement though, Hamlin did caution fans to lower their expectations about the Finnish driver’s results.
I love how people get offended so easily. He’s simply saying that experience in stock cars will be critical to having a shot at winning. Kimi is a phenomenal talent but this is stronger road course field and it won’t be easy to win even for the most experienced guys
— Vincent Magnarella (@vincemags) August 17, 2022
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Would you expect Denny to go over to F1 and contend for a win in a 1 off start? No. Look, I love that Kimi is coming over and giving NASCAR another shot, but I don’t see him contending for the win. I think there is definitely potential for him to run well, though…
— Burt Macklin (@TeamBubba23) August 17, 2022
I would argue the Cup field in 2022 is way stronger at road courses than the Cup field in 2007.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 17, 2022
Especially with how good Trackhouse has been on road courses this season
— Burt Macklin (@TeamBubba23) August 17, 2022
He’s not wrong. JPM at one point was arguably a top 5 driver in the world, got into B equipment and still was just OK even after dedicating time into the sport. I don’t know how good the 3rd trackhouse equipment will be, but he’s got almost zero shot
— Neal Lawson (@Imfoolsgold) August 17, 2022
He said, “It’s a great opportunity for him and Trackhouse and what not. But as far as being to race for the win, I don’t think that’s a possibility. Just simply because it does take time. Look at the people that have been successful in stock cars, coming from an open-wheel background. It takes a long time, and then you’ve got these anomalies like Tony Stewart and a few others.”
What else did Denny Hamlin say about Kimi Raikkonen?
Admittedly though, the fanbase was a little divided over his comments. Some agreed with the Joe Gibbs Racing driver since the cars were a lot different from when Raikkonen last drove them. They even cited the example of a former F1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, who also raced in NASCAR. While he was a regular Top 5 driver in F1, he was mostly in the NASCAR midfield.
Who is this guy?
Kimi is a god of motosport and one of the most naturally gifted ever.
They have no clue!
— Jaco Pastorius (@theeislander) August 17, 2022
Would change the dynamic once he punts Denny for this comment 😅
— Dan Weisel (@skweisel1227) August 17, 2022
I mean he’s by far the most accomplished road course racer in the field and Trackhouse builds fast cars on road courses. You make it sound like Kimi is going to run 25th. If he’s up front he changes the dynamic because he’s got absolutely nothing to lose. Turn 1 going to be fun
— KLG NobleWarrior88#MediaKitsPartner (@NGaming88) August 17, 2022
The last two times Kimi raced in Nascar he had a chance to win but either the track fell off or the tires did and he got really loose. With this new car being more similar to an F1 car than ever he should be able to run decent.
— JJWolf0498 (@JJWolf0498) August 18, 2022
Kimi knows what he is doing leave him alone
— Chad Bryant (@chadbryant2027) August 17, 2022
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Hamlin also said, “Juan Montoya took a little bit of time. But it’s just really difficult because everyone has gotten so much better. Especially with the information and data they’ve got nowadays. All the drivers in the field have really stepped up dramatically. However, I think it’s a really good thing for our sport if it gets some good publicity. Other than that, I’m not really sure it changes the dynamic of the race too much.”
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Of course, there were plenty of people who were a little outraged at the casual dismissal of Kimi Raikkonen. They all had faith that even if he does not pull off a shock win, he is still capable of delivering a good result. Others justified that Trackhouse Racing often excels at road courses, and Raikkonen is an accomplished circuit driver.
