Liberty Media owns Formula 1. The media company took over the apex of motorsport a little over half a decade ago and completely changed the ballgame altogether. They waved their wand, and F1 entered an era of unprecedented popularity. Millions of new viewers from the land of Stars and Stripes now watch F1 because of the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive, which breathed a new life into F1. And now an F1 Pundit has set off a similar takeover rumor for America’s Oval Darling.
Yes, we are talking about IndyCar. Many F1 drivers went to seek pastures in the American series after they hung their boots of Formula 1 and shut the doors on them. Drivers like Juan Pablo Montoya, who became IndyCar champion, crossed over to become a GP winner in F1. And in the opposite manner, drivers like Romain Grosjean went from F1 to IndyCar. Both the series have always had close ties but distant ones at the same time.
Windsor said, “One of the things Liberty are looking at at the moment – and this is quite a good idea – is buying IndyCar to make it effectively an American feeder series for F1. How they would do that, I don’t know – maybe get rid of some of the ovals and make it even more road coursey [sic], maybe make the cars a little bit more F1-like, maybe carbon brakes or whatever.”
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Peter Windsor believes it is a “cool idea” that the owners of Formula 1 will also own a series where they can put talented good drivers who couldn’t make it to F1 considering the sport’s nature of extremely limited seats. The drivers who can’t make it can be a part of the American series and still go ahead to live their dream in part.
Fans from the land of Uncle Sam have declared their intentions about F1 owners
Penske Corporation president Bud Denker has come forward to rubbish the rumor mill. Talking about the conjectures, he stated there is “no truth to that”. However, fans had already declared their verdict before that. American fans don’t want it happening even when it is not happening.
The worst idea ever
— Wesley Kets (@wesleykets1) April 25, 2023
if this happens I would seriously stop watching F1.. IndyCar is so perfect as it is and shouldn’t be feeder series.. We can make WEC a feeder series then
— QRT Asa (@as43derf1) April 24, 2023
While some fans declared their displeasure, others hung a sword over the IndyCar owners saying they’ll stop watching the sport.
The day this happens is the day I will stop being an IndyCar fan.
— Scott Segrin (@scottsegrin) April 24, 2023
As a fan of both sports: pic.twitter.com/fxAWIbJVwW
— Frowning Freemλn (@FrowningFreeman) April 24, 2023
My response to Liberty Media: pic.twitter.com/hYcFj30BEo
— Evan Smith ✝ 🇺🇸 (@evanr2249) April 24, 2023
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I hope this doesn't happen
— Big John (@eejit_john) April 24, 2023
And the viewers’ reactions perhaps make us wonder if Liberty Media really did wonders with gathering the viewership or not.
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And with three races set to be organized in the United States, do you think they will see the projected traction?