P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Josef Newgarden to Formula 1 has been something touted in the past, and the Indy 500 winner believes IndyCar drivers would “rock” grand prix racing – but its better left as a ‘what if.’
There is something special about drivers in modern-day motorsport racing in a series other than their own, showcasing versatility and skill. The era of top grand prix drivers racing anything on wheels, as seen in the 1950s and 1960s with legends like Stirling Moss and Jackie Stewart, may be gone but we’ve witnessed some recent cross-over attempts. Fernando Alonso’s foray into the Indianapolis 500 in 2017, whilst active in F1, marked the beginning, followed by others like Kyle Larson attempting Double Duty between Indy 500 and NASCAR. While drivers like Josef Newgarden entertain the idea of switching to F1, the challenges of budget constraints, European racing culture, and the technical differences between IndyCar and F1 pose significant hurdles. The competitive nature of F1, constant car upgrades, and limited practice time make transitioning even more demanding for drivers from other series. Ultimately, while the idea of top IndyCar drivers moving to F1 is intriguing, the reality presents a complex and competitive landscape that not all may successfully navigate.
