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Kimi Raikkonen hits pause on retirement to race again
Kimi Raikkonen hits pause on retirement to race
In a surprising turn of events, former Formula One champion Kimi Raikkonen is breaking his retirement silence to participate in a NASCAR event at Watkins Glen International in upstate New York. Known as “The Iceman” for his cool demeanor, Raikkonen’s return to racing is fueled by TrackHouse Racing’s ambitious Project91 program, designed to elevate NASCAR’s global standing by attracting top drivers from various racing disciplines.
Unveiling Project91: A Global Racing Initiative
Justin Marks, the co-owner of NASCAR’s rising team TrackHouse Racing, initiated Project91 to bring international flair to NASCAR. Marks, a former driver, personally approached Raikkonen, seeking to add immediate legitimacy to the project. The goal is clear — to showcase the competitiveness of NASCAR’s Cup level with a Formula One driver.
Marks, tight-lipped about the financials, secured Raikkonen’s participation, emphasizing the significance of having a globally relevant figure like Raikkonen kickstart the initiative. Two technology companies, Recogni and iLOQ, joined as sponsors for the No. 91 Chevy, further supporting Project91.
Raikkonen’s NASCAR Fascination
In an exclusive interview with The Associated Press, the 42-year-old Raikkonen revealed his long-standing interest in NASCAR. Despite having briefly competed in Xfinity and Truck Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2011, Raikkonen’s return marks a unique chapter in his storied racing career.
Kimi Raikkonen hits pause on retirement to race again
Raikkonen expressed intrigue in NASCAR’s new Next Gen spec car, which equalized competition among top teams. He sees the series as an exciting challenge, emphasizing the even playing field created by the new car. TrackHouse Racing, in only its second season, has already achieved three Cup wins, making it a formidable force.
The Genesis of Project91: Honest Conversations and Global Opportunities
The genesis of Project91 began with honest and straightforward conversations between Marks and Raikkonen. Marks, a race fan at heart, envisioned creating something cool in racing by bridging the gap between Formula One and NASCAR. Raikkonen, having received several offers in the past eight months, found Marks’ proposal compelling and agreed to the challenge.
Raikkonen highlighted Marks’ honesty and the lack of grand promises, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of racing. The Finnish driver trusts Marks and believes in TrackHouse Racing’s capabilities, acknowledging the team’s strong performance in NASCAR.
Family Time and New Adventures
For Raikkonen, this NASCAR stint means more than just racing. It’s an opportunity to explore something new with his wife and two young children. Having spent the last eight months enjoying a traditional schedule and quality family time, Raikkonen is enthusiastic about the adventure.
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His son, already engaged in go-kart and motocross racing at the age of seven, accompanies him to the United States. Raikkonen, embracing the unexpected nature of his 5-year-old daughter’s interests, remains unsure of their understanding of NASCAR. Nevertheless, the family is gearing up for an exciting weekend in upstate New York.
Project91’s Impact: Opening Doors for International Drivers
Project91 isn’t just about Raikkonen’s return; it aims to open doors for international drivers in NASCAR. The debut race will feature representatives from seven countries, showcasing the initiative’s global reach. Raikkonen believes this opportunity will attract more European drivers to NASCAR, providing a platform for them to establish a lasting presence in the U.S.
In conclusion, Kimi Raikkonen’s unexpected return to racing symbolizes more than a comeback; it’s a testament to the allure of NASCAR and the ambitious vision of Project91. As the racing world eagerly anticipates this unique event, the initiative’s success could pave the way for a new era of international collaboration in NASCAR.
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A former Ferrari engineer has criticised the decision to bring in Lewis Hamilton and thinks the Brit’s presence will mean “a lot of potential for drama”.
At the age of 40, seven-time Formula 1 champion Hamilton will form a formidable driver partnership with Charles Leclerc. His big switch comes at the expense of Carlos Sainz, who has performed well for the Italian squad but who was axed so they had room for their blockbuster new signing.
But not everyone of a Ferrari persuasion is convinced that it will go well. Ernest Knoors, who spent many years as an engineer at Maranello, specialising in power units, worries that Hamilton’s presence could do more harm than good for a team that is finding its groove under Frederic Vasseur.
“A big name like Hamilton also brings a lot of politics and if politics within Ferrari are not managed well, then there is a lot of potential for drama,” he told Formule1.nl. “Hamilton has the tendency that if things do not work out, he turns his whole car upside down and starts experimenting.
“Ferrari believes very much in the big personalities and will follow him. But Hamilton is just someone you have to guide a little bit and not give the freedom to rebuild the whole car, because then it will go completely wrong. So I do not know if it is such a smart move, but of course it is nice for the sport.”
News of Hamilton’s planned move broke on February 1, coinciding with football’s Transfer Deadline Day. That the back pages of many newspapers were dominated by the decision of Hamilton to swap Mercedes for Ferrari was testament to the magnitude of the announcement.
Sainz was not surprised as he had been informed by his team of the plan ahead of it being made public. But the Spaniard responded well with two victories to date this season and five further appearances on the podium, on the way to what looks likely to be a fifth-placed finish in the championship – two spots and 54 points ahead of Hamilton.
Sainz has signed for Williams next year and, after several years of running at the front of the grid, will focus on his new challenge of helping restore one of the grid’s most historic teams to its former glory. But Knoors believes he should have been kept on by Ferrari instead.
The Dutchman added: “I see Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari more as a PR move. With all due respect, Hamilton is not going to take that Ferrari from P6 to P1. He will get the most out of it, but what Ferrari has to do is make that car faster. And if you make that car faster, you can easily drive at the front with the current line-up.
“Besides, as a team you have to look further on the horizon. If Hamilton becomes champion in the coming years, he and Ferrari will become immortal. But if you want to build a team with talent for the next five years, are you going to build on Hamilton? No, because he will really be finished after two or three years. That is why I would have kept the very strong line-up that Ferrari has now.”
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Chase Elliott had a front-row seat for one of NASCAR’s most bizarre moments of the 2024 Cup Series season. At the start of Stage 2, the pace car dove onto pit road in front of Elliott; however, it was a tad too late. The pace car made contact with the sand barrels at the entry of pit road and caused a red flag for cleanup.
Initially, there was some speculation on the NBC Sports broadcast, even from the No. 9 team, that Elliott made contact with the pace car. Fortunately, the pace car didn’t slide across the No. 9 car’s nose, but it undoubtedly provided one of NASCAR’s craziest red flag moments in recent memory.
Below, you can listen to Elliott and the No. 9 team react to the pace car crashing into the sand barrels on pit road at Phoenix during Championship Weekend!
Reflecting on the recent retirement of 2017 NASCAR Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr., Earnhardt didn’t mince words about the toll NASCAR takes on its drivers. Speaking candidly, the two-time Daytona 500 winner admitted that the pressure to perform every week left him feeling miserable for most of his racing career—a sentiment he believes is shared by many of his peers.
“Right or wrong, racing made me a miserable person 90% of the time,” Earnhardt confessed. “And him too. I mean, ask Kyle Busch, ask anybody—unless you’re winning, you’re not happy.”
For these elite drivers, the sport is a relentless grind. A podium finish might bring temporary relief, but anything short of victory is often a source of frustration. The immense effort poured into preparation and execution rarely feels like it pays off unless the checkered flag is theirs.
Earnhardt highlighted the mental toll of falling short, explaining how the relentless focus on winning can overshadow the joy of simply competing. Even a solid performance feels hollow compared to the euphoria of a win.
“Unless you’re winning, you’re not happy at all,” he said. “You’re okay with a good run, but for the most part, all the effort it takes just to run good—it doesn’t weigh out.”
For drivers, the stakes are sky-high every week. Sponsors, fans, and teams demand nothing less than excellence, leaving little room for error or personal satisfaction in anything less than a dominant performance.
Earnhardt also shared insights into his friendship with Martin Truex Jr., who recently announced his retirement. While the two often spend time hunting together during NASCAR’s off-season, Earnhardt noted that the stress of racing even creeps into their leisure activities.
“When I’m with him during hunting season, it’s always in the back of his mind,” Earnhardt said. “It’s that stressful part of the year when he’s as miserable as he’s going to be.”
Now, with Truex stepping away from the track, Earnhardt looks forward to seeing a lighter, happier version of his long-time friend. Without the weight of weekly competition hanging over him, Truex might finally be able to relax and enjoy the outdoor lifestyle he cherishes.
“It’ll be fun to see him loosen up,” Earnhardt added.
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