“It can become a junk car rally” – Sport – svenska.yle.fi

Kimi Raikkonen hasn’t been on the lazy side since his F1 career ended. He is in good enough physical shape to be able to compete in NASCAR in about a month. And if the stable gets in his way, it won’t be a one-off.

At the end of May, it became official that Kimi Raikkonen will race in the NASCAR Cup this season. On August 21, he was behind the wheel at Watkins Glen Raceway.

– The stable had asked me last year if I was interested, but left everything open then. It would be fun to go and try it. Räikkönen says at a press conference according to Yle Urheilu.

In the first place, it’s only about one race for Räikkönen, but he doesn’t rule out that there could be more to come.

– we will see. The stable wanted me to do two to three races this year, but I didn’t really feel like it, he says.

Do not compete on the oval track

Races in NASCAR are largely scheduled on oval tracks, but when Raikkonen competes, it’ll be on a regular sports track. For example, Formula 1 raced at Watkins Glen between 1961 and 1980.

– I haven’t been there before. It can be a bit of a junk car rally, Raikkonen says, but I try to stay away from it.

When Räikkönen took a break from Formula 1 from 2010 to 2012, he raced two races in NASCAR but then in the Truck and Nationwide Series. The NASCAR Cup is the highest series and will be a new experience for the Finns.

– NASCAR was fun at the time, even though I didn’t drive in the Main Series. Now it’s more like the GT series and the cars have changed a lot for this season.

In NASCAR, the style is relaxed and completely different. Previous cars were surprisingly good to drive. He says you do it a bit like the old days and the whole event is very different.

The body is ready to compete

Physically, Räikkönen didn’t think the competition would be any challenge. He continued to train after his Formula 1 career ended.

I pretty much followed the same schedule and trained a lot. If I didn’t feel like working out on certain days, I wouldn’t force myself to do it. I’m training to stay on my feet, he says.

When Räikkönen made his last guest appearance in NASCAR, he was teammates with Kyle Busch. Busch is still racing, and even 1997 Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has a race this year.

– I’ve driven against a few drivers before, but I don’t know anyone out there. Last time everyone was at least helpful if I asked something and I don’t think that has changed, he says.