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Raikkonen Linked with NASCAR Races in 2011

The media kept speculating throughout the 2010 motor racing season that Kimi Raikkonen might switch from the world of rallying back to Formula One next year. That discussion was over as soon as all the “big guns” in the Great Circus confirmed their complete lineups for the 2011 campaign, and a statement from Raikkonen was no longer needed to let us know that F1 is a closed chapter for him, at least as far as the 2011 season is concerned.

However, the latest media reports from his native Finland suggest that Raikkonen is actually closer to a NASCAR experience rather than an F1 return. And here's how...

Having completed his first full-time campaign in the World Rally Championship with Citroen (while backed by Red Bull energy drink), it seems the Finn's negotiations with the French manufacturer for a second consecutive season are not going very well. A switch to Ford is apparently on the horizon, and this would come with a few NASCAR outings as well.

Funding for the project is coming especially from the United States, and Raikkonen may be offered the chance to drive some NASCAR races,” said a report from Finland's Ilta-Sanomat newspaper.

So far, no rumors have surfaced about Raikkonen's relationship with Red Bull. Some voices hint that the Finn is also eyed by the Austrian company's rival marque Monster energy drink, who may pump money into a full WRC programme for Raikkonen alongside Ken Block.

The American driver admitted that “Kimi would be a dream teammate,” in 2011, but emphasized the importance of securing strong financial backing for a 2-car effort.
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