Juan Pablo Montoya was impressed by former McLaren team-mate Kimi Räikkönen’s debut NASCAR performance at the weekend. The Finn, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series, raced to a respectable fifteenth position at the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
“If you are going to do it, you've got to do it properly,” Montoya, who drove alongside Räikkönen in 2005 and 2006 before switching to NASCAR, is quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “It will bite you if you don't do it properly.
“He's got to get to Cup. He needs experience. He's been around, he's done Formula 1, he's done it all, so for him he's got to understand the ovals and he's got to get a Cup ride - but I think, if he had a decent car, he'd be fine.”
Prior to last weekend, the pair had not spoken properly since Montoya took his team-mate out of the race in a first-lap collision at 2006 United States Grand Prix.
“I just went to say 'Hi' and see how he was doing,” the Colombian added. “People did it to me here and I was really shocked, so if I can help I will lend a hand.”
Räikkönen, who will continue to participate in World Rally events this year, also shared his feelings: “The racing was fun, but there were too many cautions; every time you feel the car starts to work better, you have a caution, and it takes a long time before the handling comes back.”
Highlights of Räikkönen's debut NASCAR race can be viewed below:
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| Kimi Räikkönen | |||
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| Juan Pablo Montoya | |||
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