IndyCar is a championship that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with drivers switching from Formula 1 to race in North America.
The series has welcomed Romain Grosjean and Marcus Ericsson, who won the Indy 500 in 2023, after lacklustre careers in F1.
IndyCar has boosted its popularity over the past few years since two-time Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso tackled the Indy 500 for the first time in 2017.
North America’s highest level of single-seater racing includes the unique aspect of ovals, which has made some Formula 1 drivers reluctant to race in the series.
They are very difficult to learn as they require a specific driving technique and an understanding of how to use the high line and dirty air.
Some drivers are also not very enthusiastic about racing in IndyCar after enjoying a career in Formula 1 as they feel its a step down.
A particular driver is unsure about a move to the championship despite his tenure in F1 potentially coming to an end in the near future, via quotes from Autosport.
Daniel Ricciardo is adamant that IndyCar is a scary prospect and is reluctant to join the series
Daniel Ricciardo has floundered at times this season for RB and has only scored points in just three Grands Prix so far this year.
The Australian driver is also behind his teammate Yuki Tsundoa in the championship standings despite having a lot more experience at the highest level.
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Ricciardo may be coming towards the end of his Formula 1 career, as Liam Lawson is a likely candidate to join Tsunoda at RB in 2025.
The 35-year-old has won eight Grands Prix and has experienced racing at the highest level. This may be why he isn’t inclined to switch to IndyCar if he were to leave the championship, as the series is less popular.
Ricciardo explained that he is questioning whether racing in IndyCar or another series will be motivating enough after life in F1.
He said: “IndyCar still scares me! Look, I’ve thought about it because I also thought about it a couple years ago when I knew that I wasn’t going to start the ’23 season.
“No disrespect to other series, I’m a fan of, NASCAR and a lot of other forms of motorsport, but because I’ve been there and experienced the highest of highs, will I get true fulfilment doing something else and no guarantee I’ll be awesome doing something else?”
Daniel Ricciardo’s opinion on IndyCar is very different to Valtteri Bottas
Ricciardo may not be so enthusiastic to race in IndyCar and compete on ovals for the first time in his career but Valtteri Bottas is open to the prospect.
The Finnish driver may also be leaving Formula 1 at the end of the season as his contract at Sauber expires at the end of the 2024 season.
Bottas is open to moving to IndyCar and experiencing tracks he has never raced on, but he knows the IndyCar car will present a different challenge to F1.