F1 world champion Jenson Button to make NASCAR debut at COTA

Jenson Button will run three NASCAR Cup Series races in 2023.

F1 world champion Jenson Button to make NASCAR debut at COTA

Jenson Button. Image via F1 Experiences

Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula One world champion, will make his NASCAR Cup Series debut at COTA ( Circuit Of The Americas) on March 26th. The British driver will run car No. 15 Ford Mustang for Rick Ware Racing. However, the car will be supported by  Stewart-Haas Racing and sponsored by Mobil 1.

The 2007 Formula One world champion, Kimi Raikkonen, will also be racing at COTA in his No:91 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet. Button will run three races with Stewart-Haas Racing. Apart from COTA, he will participate in the new Chicago street course on July 2nd and the Indianapolis road course on August 13. This is a big moment for the British driver as it is his first appearance in NASCAR.

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Though this is Jenson Button’s NASCAR debut, he has already been working with Garage 56 ( Next Gen Cup car). He will drive the modified Chevrolet for Hendrick Motorsports in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June with some big names in the business, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller.

Related: A look into some of the weirdest pre-race routines followed by Formula 1 drivers

Jenson Button will face his ex-Formula 1 rival, Kimi Raikkonen, at COTA

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Jenson Button & Kimi Raikkonen. Images via The New York Times and Twitter.

Jenson Button does not have high hopes for his debut. He stated, “Ten years ago, people used to say NASCAR guys can’t drive around a circuit, but I think they’ve proven that they can. Every time an ex-F1 driver gets in a stock car these days, they struggle initially. It takes a while for them to get up to speed, so I don’t expect to be right at the front, straight away. That’s why, for me, doing more than one race is key so I can get the best out of myself and the best out of the car.”

While this is new for Button, Kimi Raikkonen will make his second appearance with Trackhouse Racing. Button will face him for the first time since the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix. He returned to Formula One to replace Fernando Alonso at McLaren for that GP. Alonso was then competing in the Indianapolis 500. It will be interesting to watch two Formula One driver battle each other at COTA. 

Jenson Button revealed that his love for NASCAR stemmed from watching “Days of Thunder”. He explained his love for the movie and that he wanted to be a part of that racing. But, as a 10-year-old, he was sure his dream to race in NASCAR was far-fetched. Fortunately, that was not the case. Button is excited about his NASCAR debut. That little kid’s dream is about to be fulfilled. 

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