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Kimi Raikkonen looks set for NASCAR debut

Kimi Raikkonen: looks set to combine his rally commitments with time in the USA © Getty Images

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Former world champion Kimi Raikkonen has said he is "looking forward to becoming more familiar with the world of NASCAR", ahead of his expected debut in the American series in the coming months.

"I know that it's a very tough and open series, but it will be great fun for me," he said. "I love the American spirit of racing and it feels great to get involved in that."

A Finnish newspaper broke the story two days ago, claiming Raikkonen would combine his rallying foray with NASCAR this year. That was followed by a spokeswoman telling Canadian website auto123.com that his application to debut in the truck series at Charlotte on May 20 "was approved".

But another former world champion, Jacques Villeneuve, warned NASCAR and Raikkonen might not be a perfect fit. "I think the driving won't be a problem for him," he said. "His biggest challenge will be off the race track. He'll need to open up socially. NASCAR is not a closed environment like F1 is. You need to respect the other drivers and socialise."

Others also have doubts. Speed TV's Formula One TV anchor Bob Varsha suspects the news about entering NASCAR might be a joke. "Personally I think it's an April Fool's joke," he told the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel."I just find it terribly implausible." Two years ago Raikkonen admitted he was "not one of the biggest fans of NASCAR".

Varsha said NASCAR drivers are typically "extroverted and gregarious," adding: "That's the reason he got out of Formula One ... because he hated the pressure of having to deal with the press".

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.