F1 Extra: Which IndyCar star could make the switch to grand prix racing?
Added 2025-01-24 12:51:11 +0000 UTCWe've got something a little different for you on the latest episode of F1 Extra, exclusively for The Race Members' Club. Inspired by a question sent in by Anne Turnage (thanks Anne!), we're discussing which (if any) stars of the current IndyCar grid could - and perhaps will - make the switch to F1.
Edd Straw is joined by The Race's US correspondent Jack Benyon to run through the most likely candidates, including current champion (and sometime McLaren tester) Alex Palou, the man linked to a Cadillac F1 seat in 2026, Colton Herta, and McLaren's hugely popular Mexican racer, Pato O'Ward.
Edd and Jack discuss who has the best skillset to succeed in F1, but why that ultimately might not be the deciding factor in which driver ends up crossing the Atlantic...
Comments
Great episode. I really think Palou should have been given an opportunity by now. Was far more deserving than De Vries for example. Controversial, but I also think F1 should include one oval race on its calendar so that it covers all disciplines of track racing.
Mark Martin
2025-01-27 15:18:52 +0000 UTCCan’t wait to listen, and can’t wait for the IndyCar podcast to start backup!
John Westbrooks
2025-01-24 20:20:10 +0000 UTCAs an avid Supercars fan, Scott McLaughlin has been "my" Indycar driver since he joined the series so I'm glad to hear him get some love from Jack. His pre-Indycar open wheel experience was limited to less than 10 races, I think, so it is amazing what he has achieved (even if he's in a Penske, he's still competing against and matching two championship winning drivers on a regular basis.)
John O'Hara
2025-01-24 16:16:51 +0000 UTCGreat pod and thanks for selecting my question for this F1 Extra! Given that IndyCar is a North America-only series and F1 GP is owned by Liberty Media, I think there may be more potential to see these series linked and some crossover, and IndyCar will likely to use the F1 synergy to increase the fan base.
Anne Turnage
2025-01-24 15:33:14 +0000 UTCGreat to hear from Jack. Really really miss him and the guys from Absolute Rally!
Jordan Stover
2025-01-24 13:50:56 +0000 UTC
