Motor racing: Nascar drivers thrilled at F1’s invasion in Austin
Sign up now: Get the biggest sports news in your inbox
Jenson Button of Great Britain poses for a photo during the Nascar Project 56 Test at Daytona International Speedway, on January 31.
PHOTO: AFP
AVONDALE, Arizona – The March 26 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, will acquire additional lustre with the appearance of former Formula One champions Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen.
Button, the 2009 F1 champion, will be driving the No. 15 Rick Ware Racing Ford, supported by Stewart-Haas Racing, whose driver Chase Briscoe, a native of Mitchell, Indiana, believes he will gain from Button’s road course expertise.
“Growing up in a town of 3,000 people and one stop light, I would have never thought in a million years I’d race against an F1 guy, let alone two of them in one race – even be teammates with an F1 world champion,” said Briscoe.
“It’s going to be really cool for me to get to experience that, get to know Jenson, and just see how he prepares.
“Truthfully, on the road course side, he’s going to be able to bring a lot to the table. Last year, I kind of did that in a driver swop with (Haas F1 drivers) Mick Schumacher and Kevin Magnussen.
“They only ran like five laps apiece at the (Charlotte) Roval. They were within a second of what I was running at pretty much 100 per cent.
“So, those guys are such unbelievable road racers that Jenson is going to bring a lot to the table just as far as things to look for and maximise. I’m really excited for that side of it and the opportunity, because it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Button will make his Nascar debut at Circuit of the Americas before racing on the Chicago Street Course and the Indianapolis Road Course later in the season.
Raikkonen, who won the 2007 F1 title, has one previous start in each of Nascar’s top three national series and will compete at Circuit of the Americas as part of Trackhouse Racing’s Project 91. The driver from Finland drove the No. 91 Chevrolet in the 2022 Cup race at Watkins Glen, but his race ended early after a crash on Lap 45.
“It’s going to be cool to have them out there and be a part of our show,” said Richard Childress Racing driver Kyle Busch.
“They’re not used to the full contact sport of what Nascar is. I’m sure Kimi’s eyes were opened quite a bit on how all that went down at Watkins Glen. But he’s more prepared this time around.” REUTERS
