F1 »

Kimi Raikkonen: I could race in NASCAR...

Ferrari star and 2007 F1 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen reveals that his options are entirely open as to what the future might hold...
Kimi Raikkonen has joked that he could race in the North American NASCAR series in 2010 should he so desire – as he remained adamant on the eve of this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos that he still has 'no plans' beyond the end of the current F1 season.

The 2007 world champion is being dropped by Ferrari – for whom he has driven since that title-winning campaign – at the end of the year in favour of Fernando Alonso, the man Raikkonen pipped to the laurels by just a single marker two years ago.

Since the paddock's worst-kept secret was finally officially confirmed earlier this month, the 18-time grand prix-winner's name has been linked with Renault, McLaren-Mercedes – for whom he competed at the highest level from 2002 to 2006, triumphing nine times along the way and arguably being unlucky not to clinch the crown in 2003 and 2005 – and Red Bull Racing, with Toyota Motorsport President John Howett also having made little secret of his desire to secure Raikkonen's services.

However, despite time pressing on and seats beginning to fill, the 29-year-old – who will turn 30 on qualifying day in São Paulo – insists he has yet to make any decisions regarding next season, when it has similarly been suggested that he might further indulge his nascent forays into rallying by way of a more full-time switch, or even follow in the wheel tracks of fellow former grand prix stars Jacques Villeneuve and Juan-Pablo Montoya by heading across the Pond to NASCAR, a mooted destination for 'Singapore-gate' protagonist Nelsinho Piquet too.

“I have no plans,” Raikkonen is quoted as having said by The Associated Press, almost two years to the day to when he claimed his first and thus far only F1 title at Interlagos. “I do what I want with my life. I could race there (in NASCAR) if I wanted – but I'm not one of the biggest fans of NASCAR.”

Comments
Comments

Social Networking
Social Networking


Latest Comments
Latest Comments
2 agree. 1 disagrees.
Report Abuse
DEClass Regal... You spout off too much on the value and talent it takes to drive in F1. It is becoming a spec series. And not to long ago the cars had Traction control. WOW the driver was really working and thinking so much on his parade laps. You can yell all you want but wait until next year when half the grid is buying parts off the shelf to run in F1. It will be called F1 and a half by then.
Posted by rob01 (34 days ago)
Latest Comments
Related Images

Related Images

Kimi Raikkonen (FIN) Ferrari F60, Spanish F1 Grand Prix, Catalunya, 8th-10th, May, 2009
Lewis Hamilton - McLaren-Mercedes MP4/24   [pic credit: McLaren]
Heikki Kovalainen - McLaren-Mercedes MP4/24
Jarno Trulli, Toyota F1, 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [pic credit: Toyota F1]
Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota F1, 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [pic credit: Toyota F1]
Jarno Trulli, Toyota F1, 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [pic credit: Toyota F1]
Kamui Kobayashi, Toyota F1, 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix [pic credit: Toyota F1]
Kamui Kobayashi. Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Kamui Kobayashi. Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Kamui Kobayashi.Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Jarno Trulli. Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Jarno Trulli. Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Jarno Trulli. Toyota. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: Toyota]
Heikki Kovalainen. McLaren. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Heikki Kovalainen. McLaren. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Heikki Kovalainen. McLaren. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Heikki Kovalainen. McLaren. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Lewis Hamilton and Martin Whitmarsh. McLaren-Mercedes. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Lewis Hamilton. McLaren-Mercedes. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Lewis Hamilton. McLaren-Mercedes. Brazil 09. [Pic credit: www.mclaren.com]
Rubens Barrichello celebrates his first victory of 2009 for Brawn GP alongside McLaren-Mercedes` runner-up Lewis Hamilton in the European Grand Prix in Valencia [pic credit: Brawn GP]
McLaren-Mercedes` Heikki Kovalainen during qualifying for the 2009 European Grand Prix in Valencia [pic credit: McLaren]
Related Images
 
Site Map
© 1999 - 2009 Crash Media Group
The total or partial reproduction of text, photographs or illustrations is not permitted in any form.

Contact Crash.Net  |  Advertise on Crash.Net  |  Our Privacy Policy  |  About Crash.Net  |  Get News Feeds  |  Need a Website?

Find car reviews on sports cars such as Ferrari, BMW, Porsche and many more.