IndyCar Champion Unimpressed by F1 – “It Doesn’t Look That Appealing Anymore”

F1 has reached new levels in terms of entertainment value and popularity. Liberty Media’s successful overtake has further spread the word about the sport. Further, the 2021 season has been acclaimed to be the most dramatic season of the decade. However, some remain unfazed by the engaging sport; including two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden.

As any motorsport racer, Newgarden had thought of a career in F1. “For me, the appeal of F1 is in the cars. When I think of F1, I think of the constructors’ championship and teams trying to build the fastest car under a reasonable budget. That’s exciting.”

That’s where the line ends for the driver. “The older I get, the more I race and watch more Formula 1, I don’t know if that’s where I want to race. It’s not about the drivers’ championship for me.” 

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His path was once set for Formula 1 and hasn’t fully closed the door on the idea yet. “It’s a very impressive championship and it always has been. It’s definitely a place where I want to race. I’d like to have driven everything to gain experience. Then I’ll have first-hand experience and talk about it.”

Newgarden explains his preference of IndyCar over F1

The American simply stated: “I think IndyCar is where you can be most competitive as a driver.” To him, the difference of opportunities in the sports is a deciding factor. “If you’re a top driver, you want an opportunity to compete and win the championship no matter what the conditions.”

He added, “Unfortunately, that’s not the case in Formula 1. So it doesn’t look that appealing anymore. But I never say anything. You never know how things will change.”

Nonetheless, the 31-year-old has made himself a name in IndyCar. “IndyCar is my life.” Thus, he wishes that his series too sees a surge in popularity. “I care more than any other championship in the world. I want to see this championship grow because it deserves a lot of attention.”

The 2022 season promises closer and exciting racing from the sport; surely it would change the champion’s mind then.

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