Daniel Ricciardo wants to set the record straight on how Formula 1 drivers look at IndyCar.
Several Formula 1 drivers have tried their luck in IndyCar, with over 150 drivers taking part in both competitions. However, only four Formula 1 drivers have managed to win the IndyCar Championship.
Despite the challenge that IndyCar has posed to them, there has been a notion that Formula 1 drivers don’t respect IndyCar as a competition. But Daniel Ricciardo has rubbished this claim.
Daniel Ricciardo explains how Formula 1 drivers truly feel about IndyCar
Speaking to Dreyer & Reinbold Racing driver Conor Daly, former Formula 1 driver Daniel Ricciardo explained why the idea that he and other Formula 1 drivers not respecting IndyCar isn’t true.
Ricciardo admitted that Formula 1 was always the goal, but they look at all motorsport with respect and admiration. Daly echoed the same sentiment on behalf of IndyCar and NASCAR drivers.
Ricciardo: “There’s definitely respect for it. There was never a discussion like, ‘We’re the best, F1 is this, we’re up here’. As a kid, sure, for me, F1 was where I wanted to be, and I was a fan of Senna and all of that growing up.
“That was a big part of what I wanted to do, but it was never like we’re here, and everyone else is there. I think when you get to a level, you know what’s involved in racing.
“Even go-karting, like to win a go-kart race, is hard; there’s just so much that goes into it. So, yes, everyone’s competitive, but you get to a point where you realise everyone’s kind of a bada—.”
Daly: “I think we all have respect for you guys, too. Everyone knows if you’re at the top, no matter where it is, there’s kind of a general respect. Even the guys in NASCAR, I respect the heck out of those guys, they respect the heck out of Formula 1.”
Daniel Ricciardo admits IndyCar ‘scares’ him, but he still ‘loves’ it
Speaking further, Ricciardo reiterated the love and respect for all racing that F1 drivers have for all motorsport, even acknowledging the respect a legendary driver like Max Verstappen has.
“Yeah, there’s definitely not a ‘We’re cooler than you guys’. There’s none of that, at least I never experienced that. I think we all just ultimately love racing, and you guys do a very different discipline.
“Obviously, the oval stuff compared to the circuit racing, what we do with a ton of downforce and all that, but it’s different.
“I think you said Max said it, I’ve said it for many years, too: it scares the s— out of me. But I love it, it’s freaking awesome.”
It’s good to know that F1 drivers do not look down on IndyCar and NASCAR, especially given how challenging both racing leagues are.
And with the Indy 500 this weekend, where several former F1 drivers are set to participate, it is a clear sign that IndyCar poses a challenge that the best drivers in the world want to conquer.
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