By ZECH YODER
The Miami Grand Prix is set to be run this weekend in Miami, Fla., the first of three Formula 1 races being held on American soil in 2023.
This year, the United States will host more Formula 1 races than any other country in the world. Given the recent success of Drive to Survive (Formula 1’s Netflix docuseries) and its rapid growth in America, this should come as no surprise. The FIA clearly has an interest in expanding its footprints in the largest consumer market in the world.
With the rise of Formula 1 in America, increased comparisons are made between Formula 1 and its open wheel counterpart, IndyCar. Unfortunately, too often, IndyCar is unjustifiably dismissed as some lesser form of racing. The facts, however, do not bear out this premise. To be clear, I am not saying that an IndyCar is mechanically equivalent to a Formula 1 car. In nearly every respect, a Formula 1 car is superior. Such a comparison is apples to oranges. What I am saying is the level of competition and racing product in IndyCar is comparable, and, in some instances, better then Formula 1.
For years, drivers have successfully come and gone between IndyCar and Formula 1.
In 1995, Jacques Villeneuve won the Indianapolis 500 and the CART (Champ Car) Championship before transitioning to Formula 1 and winning the 1997 World Championship. In 1999/2000, Juan Pablo Montoya won the Champ Car Series and Indianapolis 500 before transitioning to a successful, though short, career in Formula 1. In 2021, Romain Grosjean moved from the Haas Formula 1 team to join IndyCar. Former Sauber F1 driver Marcus Ericsson won the 2022 Indianapolis 500.
Formula 1 is seen as superior because it is exclusive, not because it is more elite. I am hard-pressed to believe that Formula 1 is reserved for the world’s 20 best drivers. In fact, that is demonstrably false; several drivers on the Formula 1 grid are only there because they bring significant financial support. Thus, a seat in Formula 1 is not entirely dependent on talent.
More important, in my mind, is the on-track product. For the last decade, Formula 1’s on track product has been disappointing. Since 2010, Formula 1 has had four different individual champions and two different constructor champions. In the first four races of 2023, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez are the only race winners. Moreover, in three out of the four races, Verstappen and Perez finished 1-2.
Since 2010, IndyCar has had seven different champions from three different teams. In the first four races of the 2023 IndyCar season, there have been four different winners. Three of four 2023 IndyCar races involved late lap lead changes, including multiple lead changes in St. Petersburg and Texas. In 2022, entering the last race of the season, five drivers were in title contention. Conversely, Max Verstappen clinched the Formula 1 World Championship with four races to go.
If you are a new fan of racing and enjoy Formula 1, give IndyCar a shot. IndyCar has what Formula 1 lacks: close, exciting, wheel-to-wheel racing throughout the field.
Zech Yoder is a local resident, an attorney at Adler Attorneys in Noblesville, and a lifelong race fan.