Before I type this, I know it will likely never happen but it makes some sense if you really think about.
IndyCar is struggling. There I said it. Struggling to find sponsors, struggling with TV ratings, struggling to be relevant. IndyCar needs help. And you know what, there is nothing wrong to admit you need help. I'd rather by honest than lie and say everything is alright.
Formula One is doing fine. They have a nineteen-race World Championship. Millions and millions of dollars fill the paddock like it's nobody's business. Everything is peachy. But, there is one thing Formula One struggles with. Formula One wants a larger presence in the United States.
How can IndyCar and Formula One help each other out simultaneously?
First, I have to say it is radical. Two, it is NOT unprecedented. Three, it is unlikely for many reasons.
The idea: Make the Indianapolis 500, once again, a round of the Formula One World Championship.
There are many things preventing this from happening. Technology, conflict in schedules and conflict of interests from the two sanctioning bodies.
But could it work?
Mark Miles and Derrick Walker already made it known they want innovation and the speeds to increase at the Speedway. What better way to bring different technologies and promote innovation than to allow the Formula One teams to show up and run a car? Instead of forcing the Formula One teams to buy DW12 chassis and try to get an engine program from Chevrolet and Honda, when the Formula One regulations go to 1.6 liter, turbocharged V6 engines, allow the Formula One teams to come with their engines and their chassis, of course with different suspension and aero pieces for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and race.
There are more technical challenges preventing this from ever happening. IndyCar uses Firestone; Formula One uses Pirelli who don't make an oval tire. There is no refueling in Formula One; IndyCar does use refueling. IndyCar only allows six men over the wall for a pit stop; Formula One has at least double that. IndyCar uses a pneumatic jack; Formula One uses a hand jack. There are some things that would have to be worked out. The other issue is Formula One has expressed no interest in an oval race. That is the biggest barrier to be break down.
Formula One wants a larger presence in the United States and while the Grand Prix of America in Weekhawken and West New York, New Jersey has yet to take place and rumors were swirling at Long Beach that Bernie Ecclestone, Chris Pook and Zak Brown were going to bring Formula One back to Southern California, why not return to something that was done from 1950-1960 and have the Indianapolis 500 count towards the World Championship? While struggling, the Indianapolis 500 is still a recognizable event in the United States. At least 225,000 people attended the race this year and more might show up if they hear Formula One cars and drivers will also be there. It would increase the international profile of the race to have the names of Vettel, Alonso, Hamilton, Button and Räikkönen as well as the manufactures of Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Lotus (but this Lotus is much better than the last Lotus that showed up at the Speedway).
It makes so much sense to me. Formula One gets to be apart of one of the biggest races in the United States while IndyCar can benefit from being viewed on the world stage by Formula One television partners. Make the Indianapolis 500 a Formula One round and IndyCar, which is near impossible to find around the world, is now on the BBC, RTL and the other big networks in Europe not to mention other big networks around the world. With it being a Formula One race, there would be a conflict in TV rights for the United States and Canada. Would it be viewed as only an IndyCar race and be on only ABC and Sportsnet or would the Formula One deals make it available on NBC and TSN as well? These are kinks that would have to be worked out. Despite these kinks, the amount of international media walking the grounds would be an unbelievable plus for the series and the race. Seeing how excited Will Buxton was covering qualifying makes me wonder what he'd be like on race day and how would other members of the Formula One media react?
Formula One teams would need testing time for their oval parts to be either conducted in the United States or somewhere in Europe (Lausitzring and Rockingham come to mind). An IndyCar oval race in February or early March open to the Formula One teams could be beneficial or IndyCar oval races during Formula One's down periods in the summer could allow the teams to prepare a year in advance. Jim Clark won at Milwaukee and ran Trenton after finishing second in the 1963 Indianapolis 500. It has been done but just because Jim Clark did it doesn't mean the teams and drivers of today would.
Changes would have to be made to the calendar to allow this to happen. The current qualifying weekend would not be a problem for the Formula One teams but they would miss the first two days of practice like Conor Daly did this year. Push Monaco back a week to the first week in June to open up the weekend for the Indianapolis 500 and have a back-to-back of Indianapolis and Monaco. It is not unprecedented for Monaco to move. The Monaco Grand Prix has moved from a race in early April to early May to it's current date in late May. I don't think one week would kill the event. Just three years ago the race was held two weeks earlier than it was this year and I think it was still well attended.
Other logistical problems: Team failing to qualify. In Formula One this rarely happens and if it does, it happens to a back marker not within 107% of the fastest car. A Formula One team might not be happy if neither of its two cars makes the show. Part of me wants to say that's just how it goes but I know if a team misses they might decide not to show up for Indianapolis, the same way Formula One teams didn't show up from 1950-1960 expect for one lone exception when Alberto Ascari and Ferrari ran the 1952 Indianapolis 500. For IndyCar teams, failing to qualify and losing a spot to a Formula One team would cost them a valuable paycheck and IndyCar teams need every dime they can get. Just add this to the list of things keeping this from ever happening.
Does this mother of all pipe dreams have a shot at reality? As of now, no but IndyCar has nothing to lose by trying to communicate with the FIA and the Formula One Teams Association.
It does make some sense. Formula One would be on the biggest stage in the United States. IndyCar would be shown to larger international audience. The rulebook could be opened up to allow teams from both Formula One and IndyCar to use innovation to try and go faster than the next guy. It would be a terrific event for any racing fan. Qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 would be unbelievably important. Add twenty-two Formula One cars to thirty-three IndyCars and you have fifty-five cars going for thirty-three spots. Want to talk about a hell of a bump day?
However, before I get too excited, I have to realize it's not in the cards and it will likely never happen. I wish it would though. With racing being so specialized in this day in age, just one event where all the teams from two series got together and ran a race would be a wonderful, deep breath of fresh mountain air. The idea has its flaws but there is nothing that can't be worked out, right? Through dialogue the sanctioning bodies could work out the kinks and it could be a win-win for the FIA and IndyCar but before I get too excited again, I realize it's a pipe dream.
Just the thought of it though; Formula One teams and IndyCar teams at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to race the Indianapolis 500. Before getting negative, let that thought roll around your mind and try not to smile.
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