INDIANAPOLIS — Is there a future Formula 1 driver within the Indianapolis 500 subject?
It’s doable however actually not particular.
The motive force on the pole, Robert Shwartzman, was a Formulation 1 reserve driver for Ferrari and Sauber the previous couple of years. He is the 2019 Formulation 3 champion and has six Formulation 2 wins. Shwartzman has by no means competed on an oval. So the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday shall be his first oval expertise for him, as he transitions to INDYCAR racing after a irritating final couple of seasons not touchdown the Formulation 1 experience he hoped to safe.
“Sadly, I have not been given an opportunity to go to F1, although I actually tried my greatest,” stated Shwartzman, who drove within the World Endurance Championship final yr. “It was like, ‘OK, if that is not the way in which to go, I will strive right here in Indy,’ and right here we’re.
“It is a good place to be in. I actually prefer it. I actually get pleasure from it.”
‘It is unbelievable actually’ – Robert Shwartzman talks feelings of successful the Indianapolis 500 pole
Three drivers within the 2025 Indy 500 have Formulation 1 begins. Marcus Ericsson made 97 begins from 2014-2018, Takuma Sato made 90 begins from 2002-2008 and Alexander Rossi made 5 begins in 2015.
With 4 wins within the first 5 road-course races this yr, wouldn’t Alex Palou be a chance?
Properly, it’s sophisticated.
Whereas beneath contract with Chip Ganassi Racing in INDYCAR, he signed with McLaren to drive in INDYCAR and be a Formulation 1 reserve driver in 2023. Ganassi sued Palou, who had completed a observe session in Austin for McLaren, and Palou ultimately remained with Ganassi. A lawsuit in England from McLaren lingers with the courts nonetheless to find out how a lot Palou owes McLaren for backing out of that contract.
Would different Formulation 1 groups take a look at that drama and say they don’t need to cope with him?
“I’d perceive that,” Palou stated. “I don’t know [if that’s the case]. For positive, it doesn’t assist.”
Palou, Pato O’Ward (McLaren reserve driver) and Colton Herta (the Andretti driver almost certainly to make the transfer) are the three drivers most frequently talked about in making the transfer from INDYCAR to Formulation 1.
All three have stated they’re comfortable racing in INDYCAR, however with the 2 Cadillac seats open for subsequent yr with the brand new staff to be fielded by Andretti staff proprietor Dan Towriss, there are clearly relationships and familiarity with them within the storage.
“I’m good the place I’m,” Palou stated. “I’m tremendous comfortable. You may see that. I’ve had zero conservations … with anyone, and I’m not like knocking on doorways. I’m good the place I’m.”
All three know that their time to make a transfer is probably restricted primarily based on their age. Palou is 28, O’Ward is 26 and Herta is 25.
Pato O’Ward is at the moment a check and reserve driver for McLaren. He’ll get to drive in a Formulation 1 observe at Mexico Metropolis later this yr, simply as he did final yr for the staff.
“I’d love a chance for Formulation 1,” stated O’Ward, who’s fourth within the INDYCAR standings for McLaren. “Nevertheless it’s a mysterious world, proper? It strikes in very mysterious methods. I can supply what I can convey to the desk by way of what I can do with a race automobile and by way of marketability. I’m just about simply my face and me.
“I do not include $30 million. I’ve stated it a number of instances, and there is numerous guys that do, and I perceive that that aspect of the enterprise is unattainable to disregard.”
The INDYCAR way of life may not be as glamorous on the subject of occasions, however it is usually one thing the drivers embrace.
“I like the place I am at,” stated O’Ward, who’s from Monterrey, Mexico. “If that is the place I am at for the remainder of my life, I am chilling. I freaking love America. Really, I would be fairly unhappy leaving America, as a result of I like residing right here a lot, however I’d be comfortable for a chance for a dream that is all the time lived in my head.
“To be honest, INDYCAR is all the time going to be residence to me. At all times shall be. Would not matter if I’m going to Formulation 1 for a number of years or no matter, I am all the time going to return again and INDYCAR is what’s going to really feel like residence.”
Herta has stated he likes racing INDYCAR and that it wouldn’t be a simple determination to make the transfer. He has heard the speak of him presumably going to F1 a lot over the previous couple of years that he, at instances, simply dismisses the subject when requested.
“I don’t actually have something on that stuff,” he stated politely whereas making ready for the Indianapolis 500.
Herta additionally wants to complete fourth in factors to probably be eligible for a brilliant license to race F1. He at the moment sits ninth within the standings, 44 factors out of fourth and 144 factors out of the lead. Herta stated he isn’t centered on the fourth-place benchmark.
“We simply must be working higher on Sundays,” Herta stated. “We have been fairly poor on Sundays for lots of various causes, and it has been irritating.
“We now have a very good common qualifying and our common end is fairly terrible, so we have to work on that and never fear about that [in the standings].”
Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and INDYCAR for FOX Sports activities. He has spent many years overlaying motorsports, together with over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting Information, NASCAR Scene journal and The (Daytona Seaside) Information-Journal. Observe him on Twitter @bobpockrass.
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