via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Young Driver Test – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 14, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Young Driver Test – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 14, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen during testing REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
IndyCar driver Rinus van Kalmthout recently admitted that he is open to a possible switch to Formula 1. Kalmthout, popularly known as VeeKay currently drives for Ed Carpenter Racing in the American series.
Recently, McLaren Arrow IndyCar driver Pato O’Ward took the wheel of McLaren MCL35M during the young drivers’ test in Abu Dhabi. After the test, O’ Ward shared his thoughts on driving an F1 car. “Oh my god! The grip, man, is crazy. By the end of the day, my head is going to be falling off for sure. I’m frigging’ in love with this thing.”
A first time winner, and he's only getting started. @rinusveekay is the first to lay claim to the legendary Speedway this May by winning the GMR Grand Prix. #INDYCAR // #INDYGP // #DEFYEVERYTHING pic.twitter.com/Hx9wqamKkI
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 15, 2021
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VeeKay wants to compete in a top F1 team alongside Max Verstappen
The young Dutch sensation is happy with his performances in the US-based series and hopes to be there for a long time. “If I drive in IndyCar for the next twenty years and can also compete for titles, then my life is more than complete,” said the 21-year-old.
He didn’t, however, rule out a chance of an F1 move, if it is driving for a top team, with or against fellow Dutchman Max Verstappen. In a recent interview reported by Motorsport.com, VeeKay candidly shared his thoughts on the same. “If I get the chance to become a teammate or competitor at a big team of Max, then I have to think about it for a while,” he added.
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The most recent switch between F1 and Indycar was by Swiss driver Romain Grosjean. Grosjean will appear with Andretti Autosport in 2022 after a successful 2021 season with Dale Coyne Racing. Rinus VeeKay rates the American series highly and he believes the former F1 driver radiates pleasure and joy while competing in IndyCar.
USA Today via Reuters
Aug 14, 2021; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indy Series driver Romain Grosjean (51) during the Big Machine Spiked Coolers Grand Prix at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports
“You can see, for example, with Romain Grosjean, and also with other drivers from Formula 1, that they really have a lot of fun just tearing around with an IndyCar. The tires can also handle a lot more than those in Formula 1. It’s really just karting with very fast and very expensive cars.”
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For 2022, the 17-race calendar in the NTT Indycar series is set to begin from February 27 through September 11. The inaugural race is in St. Petersburg and the season finale is scheduled to be held at the Laguna Seca.
Read More- Pierre Gasly Explains Max Verstappen’s Influence on His Red Bull F1 Return
