2009 F1 champ Button joins Räikkönen in NASCAR COTA grid

Lately, the familiar names making motorsport headlines make us think we're back in the early 2000s.

Last week, 41-year-old Fernando Alonso finished a sensational 3rd in the Bahrain Grand Prix. Yesterday, Kimi Räikkönen announced he's driving NASCAR Cup Series race car again. Now, another F1 champion of the 2000s era is making his racing return.

2009 Formula One champion Jenson Button will join the returning Raikkonen in the NASCAR Cup Series race at Circuit of the Americas. Unlike the Iceman, Button will be having his first taste of stock car racing, and is scheduled to contest three races in the 2023 season.

The Briton will drive the No.15 Ford Mustang under Rick Ware and Stewart-Haas Racing with sponsorship from Mobil 1. Apart from the race in COTA this month, Button will also be seen on the grid in the Chicago Street Race and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. Those two races will happen in July and August, respectively.

Button's NASCAR stint should help him prepare for this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans where he will drive a stock car-spec Chevrolet Camaro along with NASCAR veterans Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. The 24 Hours of Le Mans will be in its 100th running this June.

Alonso. Räikkönen. Button. Will the next early 2000s F1 driver please stand up?