“HOLY SH*T”- Fans react to Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen racing in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA 

The motorsports fans send their wishes to Button and Raikkonen, they are excited to witness the Formula 1 duo race against each other in NASCAR.

“HOLY SH*T”- Fans react to Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen racing in the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series race at COTA 

Kimi Raikkonen & Jenson Button. Images via Planet F1 & Eurosport.

Ex-Formula 1 world champions Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen will enter the NASCAR Cup Series in 2023. While this is Button’s debut, this is Raikkonen’s second appearance in NASCAR’s Cup Series. They both will race at the Circuit Of The Americas (COTA) on March 26th. Raikkonen will race for Trackhouse Racing’s PROJECT91 in the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Button will pilot the No.15 Rick Ware Racing Ford Mustang, sponsored by Stewart-Haas. 

The duo will face each other for the first time since the 2017 Monaco Grand Prix. Jenson Button had already retired from Formula one by then, he replaced Fernando Alonso at McLaren for that one event, while Alonso took part in the Indianapolis 500. Both Formula 1 drivers look forward to driving in the NASCAR Cup Series. 

YouTube video

FS Video

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.”

Kimi Raikkonen stated, “I had a fantastic time in NASCAR. There was a lot to learn in a very short amount of time, but everyone was very helpful, and the competition was a big challenge.” COTA is a track Raikkonen is familiar with, this gives him an advantage. It is the place where he won his 21st Formula One race in 2018.

Related: Budget cap won’t impede Mercedes’ progress: Toto Wolff

According to the fans, COTA is going to be stacked thanks to Jenson Button and Kimi Raikkonen

Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen. Images via CNN
Jenson Button, Kimi Raikkonen. Images via CNN

Jenson Button stated that he does not expect to be at the front immediately. He mentioned it takes time for F1 drivers to adapt and get to speed in NASCAR. While the two ex-F1 drivers are prepping for their big day, the fans are having a moment. “I AM SO PUMPED FOR THIS!”, “ HOLY SHIT I CALLED IT”, “ JENSON BUTTON AND KIMI RAIKKONEN are IN THE SAME RACE IN BIG 2023 WE’LL BE THERE” Take a look at the other reactions,

This comes as a pleasant surprise to the fans. They are thrilled with this news and cannot contain their excitement. The motorsports fans are eagerly looking forward to the race between two Formula One world champions. Some of them have their fingers crossed for Jimmie Johnson to race at COTA this year. The fans are exhilarated that it will be 2007 all over again. 

Jordon Taylor will also race along with Button and Raikkonen. The motorsports world is hyped up for this big event. Even Button did not see this coming. To quote him, “Two F1 world champions in a NASCAR race. Who would have ever predicted that?”. The challenge is real, and the drivers are ready for it. It won’t be long before they run their cars in COTA. 

In case you missed it:

F1 world champion Jenson Button to make NASCAR debut at COTA

Kimi Raikkonen to race in COTA NASCAR Cup race with Trackhouse Racing