Could Roger Penske Be Looking at a Return to Formula One After Being Spotted by Few in Las Vegas?

Very few organizations have tasted the success that Roger Penske has as an owner. While Hendrick Motorsports remains at the top of the ladder in NASCAR’s premier series, Roger Penske is steadily climbing up the rungs. The past two years of seizing consecutive championships is the perfect cherry on top to redefine the team’s success. Moreover, it is not just NASCAR where the business mogul has asserted dominance but also in the world of IndyCars.

Primarily known for his authority in the IndyCar world, the veteran owner has never failed to venture out in various gamuts of motor racing. Nevertheless, with Ryan Blaney notching the 2023 Cup Series championship, could the rejuvenated team owner be on the lookout to expand his racing venture, especially to Formula 1?

Roger Penske’s appearance at Las Vegas raises speculations among fans

While the world of stock car racing has pulled the curtain on its season, its European counterpart, Formula One was ready to carry out yet another experiment. F1 after traversing throughout the globe, and after months of wait, finally hit the streets of Las Vegas. There were initial roadblocks that threatened to stop the race from happening. Still, the authorities were finally able to pull off a successful race in Sin City.

While the Formula 1 drivers were set to navigate the streets of Las Vegas and avoid the manholes, the NASCAR drivers were seen flocking to the race paddock and the grandstands, including the likes of Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch. But it wasn’t just the drivers who made an appearance in the inaugural race. It is speculated that Team Penske’s owner, Roger Penske, and his son Greg Penske also braced the Formula 1 paddock.

The news was revealed by Sports Business Journal journalist Adam Stern on his Twitter account. He wrote, “Roger Penske and Greg Penske both attended @F1LasVegas last night, per people familiar”. For a person like Roger Penske and his stature, his visit to Las Vegas could be with underlying motives as a business person and not just as a mere spectator. Could he be in the hunt to own an F1 team, after his outings in NASCAR and IndyCars?

Watch this Story: The Unspoken Regret of a NASCAR Legend

This speculation arises from the fact that ‘The Captain’ once owned a Formula 1 team. The team had failed to notch success at par with the Indy Series. And yet, Roger Penske was able to break into the European racing world, where Americans have tasted the least success.

Moreover, fast-forwarding to 2019, it was again conjectured that the team owner was a potential candidate to own the Mercedes Petronas AMG F1 team. This came after Mercedes-Benz decided to move out of the daily operations of the team. However, the plans never materialized. But with the Penske family making an appearance now, it once again fans the speculation whether they are contemplating buying an F1 team.

How Penske’s F1 outings panned out in the 1970s

Trending

Tony Stewart’s Wife Leah Pruett Pens a Heartfelt Message for Husband After His Unwavering Support for His Family

“We Are Not Morning People”- Travel Woes Hit Home for Kyle Busch & Wife Samantha Leaving Son Brexton Grinning

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Offers a Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity to His Loyal Fanbase as He Gears Up for His Return With Budweiser

“Godspeed Les” – NASCAR Loses Old School Pioneer Integral to Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Late Modal Venture

Rick Hendrick’s Alliance Rumored to Save Chevy Prodigy Who Crashed Kyle Busch’s Party

One reason why Roger Penske could be looking towards the F1 horizon is past experience. Although perhaps news to the current generation, F1 viewers from back in the 70s would recognize entries with the Penske chassis. In fact, the Penske touch found immediate success when a McLaren sponsored by the racing magnate finished on the podium at the 1971 Canadian GP. Mark Donohue, an American himself, drove the car. However, after just one more outing in the US that year, Penske’s F1 expedition halted till 1974.

The return was again a part-time entry for the US and Canada rounds alone but with their own chassis, PC1. The next two years saw Penske’s entrants race full-time with their machinery. They peaked in the 1976 season with their maiden and solitary win to date at the Austrian GP. This remains the latest F1 win by an American-licensed team. British driver John Watson took that along with two more podium finishes in the season. This helped Team Penske-Ford to clinch fifth position in the constructor standings that year. However, they decided to shift focus to the U.S. racing scene after 1977.

Read More: “Motorsports Is Full of What If’s”- Josh Williams Makes Heartfelt Admission on Bagging Full-Time Ride Days After Kaulig Racing Announcement

It is interesting to note the parallels between then and now. Just like how their successful run in IndyCar began in 1977, could the recent success in the NASCAR Cup Series serve as a catalyst for the Penske outfit to venture back to F1? Or is it a mere speculation?