A pair of Formula 1 drivers may have their eyes on the open ride at Target Chip Ganassi Racing to replace the recently retired Dario Franchitti, according to a pair of stories that recently appeared in Autosport.com.
Formula 1 drivers eye Ganassi IndyCar ride
Paul di Resta and Sergio Perez may be interested in switching to the IndyCar Series next season if they can’t find another job in Formula 1.
Andrew Hone
One of them is Franchitti’s cousin and fellow Scot Paul di Resta and the other is Mexican Sergio Perez, who recently parted ways from McLaren.
Currently driving for Force India, di Resta has yet to secure a F1 ride for next season and would prefer to stay in Grand Prix Racing. But he says that he’s open to moving to IndyCar and has said that he would discuss it with Franchitti.
“I wouldn’t rule anything out,” di Resta told Autosport. “At this point, I’m still in the running for the seat here [at Force India], at least I would like to think I am. There are obviously a few other options with interest.”
Perez is in a similar position as di Resta and is looking for the next opportunity after being released by McLaren last month in lieu of Formula 3.5 champion Kevin Magnussen. Looking for open seats in F1 at this time of the year is especially difficult, forcing Perez to also look outside of the sport for employment.
The Mexican youth hasn’t had any talks with Chip Ganassi Racing Teams but told Autosport that he would “think about switching series” if the opportunity came up.
“I haven’t had any contact, my head is fully in F1,” he told the website. “I am 23 years old so I have a lot to give F1. But if I don’t find the right seat for my future, I might have to look to that option. It might be interesting to me.”
Like Rubens Barrichello, the last major F1 veteran to make the switch to IndyCar for the 2012 season, he will have to adapt to the various ovals that make up the schedule, including Indianapolis, Iowa, Milwaukee, Texas and Fontana. But the current IndyCar Series is friendlier to European Formula drivers because of the diminishing number of high speed ovals.
In short, the ability for an F1 driver to find success in IndyCar is higher now than ever before. All that he would require is a top-tier ride and that is what is potentially open here with the Target No. 10 Chevrolet which has won three championships in the past five years with Franchitti.
Would any of the two F1 stars have success in the IndyCar Series with Ganassi? Tell us in the comments section below.
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