Kimi Raikkonen eyeing more NASCAR races after F1 career

Kimi Raikkonen has said that he would like to do some more NASCAR races once he has retired from Formula 1.

Currently racing for Ferrari, the popular Finn has always said that he would end his F1 career with the Italian team, having returned to Maranello for the 2014 season after five years away.

During that period, Raikkonen spent two years out of the sport sampling a variety of other series, including NASCAR.

At the 2011 Top Gear 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race at the Charlotte Motor Speedway (where he is pictured) Raikkonen finished 27th, one week after he had finished 15th for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 race as part of the Camping World Truck Series.

Speaking to CNN, Raikkonen said that he would like to race in NASCAR once again once he is done with F1.

“I really enjoy the whole NASCAR thing,” he said. “It’s just completely different and fun. It was a good experience. Hopefully I can do more some day.”

Raikkonen had said in the past that he would most probably retire at the end of his Ferrari contract, but he is now looking to extend this by another year to the end of the 2016 season.

“I have a contract for next year and probably for one more year, but I’m not a young guy anymore,” said the Finn, who turns 35 today. “I want to do something more with my life than just Formula 1.

“I will finish my career at Ferrari. I never lost the passion. I will stop the day when I feel I don’t enjoy it anymore.”

Raikkonen’s motivation has been brought into question many times this season due to his reserved and somewhat aloof nature. However, he does look set to remain with the team for next season, with Sebastian Vettel likely to join as Fernando Alonso’s replacement.