Formula Racing
Everything you ever wanted to know about IndyCar but were too afraid to ask
The 2019 IndyCar series will offer some of the most thrilling racing on the planet, especially with a fresh influx of F1 drivers to the grid. Find out more about this unique motorsports spectacle.
IndyCar racing is more competitive than it has ever been. The series features some of the best drivers in the world battling it out on some of its fastest and most challenging circuits – from tight, twisty street circuits to flat-out super speedways.
Fernando Alonso’s decision in 2017 to skip the Monaco GP and swap his McLaren F1 car for an McLaren-Honda-Andretti Indycar and race at the Indy 500 was jaw-dropping news. In November 2018, it was announced that Alonso will race the Indy 500 in May 2019 to complete his quest to seal motorsport’s triple crown.
Fellow F1 driver Marcus Ericsson announced he would be joining the series full-time, after losing his drive with the Sauber F1 Team. The Swedish driver will be substituting for the injured Robert Wickens at Schmidt-Peterson Motorsports.
Want a quick introduction to what this fast and furious world is all about, or just need a refresher? Continue reading…
The cars
Felipe Giaffone racing at IndyCar
© Miguel Costa Jr.
Since 2012, all the cars in the IndyCar field have been powered by either Honda or Chevrolet power units bolted to a universal chassis built by venerable constructor Dallara. Drivers have to use all their skill as there’s no power steering or driver aids like ABS or traction control.
The Chevy and Honda engines are methanol fuelled 2.2 litre turbocharged V6 units, kicking out up to 700bhp. Drivers also have 150 to 200 seconds of ‘push to pass’ per race available via a button on the steering wheel which gives them boost when they most need it.
On oval courses these cars will hit speeds of over 230mph and, with refuelling and regular full-course yellow flag periods a regularity on all types of circuit, processional races are usually avoided and close finishes guaranteed.
The circuits
IndyCar racing isn’t about going around in circles! The 2019 calendar kicks off on the streets of St Petersburg, Florida and ends 17 races later at the classic Laguna Seca circuit in the other side of the United States.
From the flowing and undulating challenges of circuits like Road America and Sonoma, to the streets of Long Beach and Toronto, to the flat-out ovals of Texas and Pocono, variety is key to the schedule. With races scheduled in quick succession, the drivers have to be versatile and consistent.
In previous seasons, IndyCar has also visited legendary circuits such as 1970s F1 favourite Watkins Glen and Surfer’s Paradise in Australia. In 2019, the series returns to the hallowed Laguna Seca circuit in California and visits the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, home to F1’s United States Grand Prix for the first time.
The Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500
© DPPI
The month of May is all about the Indy 500 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, aka ‘the Brickyard’. This is where Alonso headed in 2017, famously skipping his F1 duties at Monaco, and qualified a sensational fourth.
Since 1911 this race has been the jewel in the crown. 2.5 miles of hallowed oval where every May over 300,000 people gather to watch 33 IndyCar drivers battle it out. With over 500 miles of track, it's a race of attrition and skill to win the massive Borg Warner trophy and drink a pint of milk.
FAST FACT:Verizon IndyCar Series cars reach speeds up to 235 mph at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Practice and qualifying for the event takes place throughout the whole of May, with qualifying happening the weekend before the big race.
Qualifying can be spectacular with championship points at stake, as drivers have four laps to set their fastest average speed to determine their grid slot on the 11 row grid for the rolling start.
In qualifying for the 2017 race, ex-F1 racer Sébastien Bourdais had a huge 230+mph crash in his quest for pole. The French ace broke his hip and pelvis, but was back racing just eight races later.
On race day fans are treated to an all-American fest of automotive pageantry, live music, military displays and a truly unique sporting spectacle, with double points on offer.
FAST FACT: The tradition of the winner drinking milk was introduced by Indianapolis 500 winner Louis Meyer – a fan of post-race buttermilk – in 1936.
If Alonso gets to drink the milk he will have won at Monaco, Le Mans and Indianapolis and will his coveted triple crown in the bag...
The drivers
F1 champs Andretti and Villeneuve have won at Indy
© DPPI
The history of drivers who have raced in IndyCar makes up a dazzling list. Homegrown legends include Mario Andretti, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Rahal, the Unsers and Rick Mears, all of whom have won championships and Indy 500s.
Guys at the sharp end today include reigning champ, the New Zealander Scott Dixon, Team Penske’s Indy 500 winner Will Power, ex-F1 driver Alexander Rossi, 2017 champion Josef Newgarden and French ace Simon Pagenaud.
Up and coming talent includes Chip Ganassi Racing’s recent acquisition Felix Rozenqvist, Zach Veach, Spencer Pigot, Matheus Leist and the injured Robert Wickens ensuring a healthy depth of talent.
In recent decades a growing number of international drivers have made IndyCar their home. Helio Castroneves, Tony Kanaan, Emerson Fittipaldi, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bourdais, Paul Tracy and Jacques Villeneuve are just some of the non-American drivers revered by the fans.
Mansell found success in IndyCar
© Mike Powell/Getty Images
Since Jim Clark won the Indy 500 in 1965, some of the best British drivers generations have become legends in IndyCar. Nigel Mansell famously won the F1 driver’s crown in 1992, went to America in 1993 and won the IndyCar title at his first attempt.
Along with Clark and Mansell, other successful Brits include Dario Franchitti, Dan Wheldon and Graham Hill who have six Indy 500 wins between them and are legends Stateside.
FAST FACT: The fastest race in Verizon IndyCar Series history was in 2003 at California Speedway with an average speed of 207.151 mph.
The teams
Penske, Andretti Autosport, Chip Ganassi Racing and Rahal-Letterman are just some of the big hitters in the IndyCar manufacturer stakes and underpin the rich history of open-wheeled racing in the United States.
Teams generally run between one and four cars, with additional entries and one-off team appearances for the Indy 500.
FAST FACT: Team Penske has 16 wins at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the most of any team.
Bold colour schemes and regular in-season sponsor changes are the norm and with races featuring multiple pit stops for tyres and fuel, mechanics have to work hard and fast to react as evolving fuel strategies and yellow flag periods can completely change races.
The danger
The fact is IndyCar will offer some of the closest racing you will see, but it also has a fair degree of risk that comes with close racing wheel-to-wheel at over 200mph.
Seeing a bunch of IndyCar drivers racing four or five wide at oval tracks like Pocono or Texas Motor Speedway is what it is all about, but when it goes wrong it can go very wrong.
In 2011, two-time Indy 500 champ Dan Wheldon was killed in a huge accident at Las Vegas, and in 2015 fellow Brit Justin Wilson lost his life at the Pocono Raceway.
During qualifying for the 2015 Indy 500, four drivers flipped their cars at high speed and Canadian fan favourite James Hinchcliffe ended up with a suspension strut piercing his thigh. Only a quick response by IndyCar’s safety team saved his life.
In the 2018 season, at the ‘tricky triangle’ of Pocono IndyCar rookie Robert Wickens suffered a huge airborne crash after touching wheels at speed with Ryan Hunter-Reay’s car. He was lucky to survive and is currently recovering from serious injuries to his legs, hands and spine.
The potential addition of Mr Alonso to the field is intoxicating stuff and he definitely has what it takes to win in IndyCar... but he won’t have it all his own way.