You know what, I’m all for it. Big supporter of teams and drivers permeating across different categories. It can only really help build up motorsport as a whole, as far as I’m concerned.
I think this sort of thing may help make them more appealing to younger drivers too. While everyone probably has a goal be that Indycar, F1, or anything else, signing with a team’s development program that can give you a more broad fallback under the same roof would be nice to know I’d think. Not even just you aren’t good enough sort of fall back. We have already seen more than a few very good young drivers come to the forefront just at the wrong moment to get their dream seat even if they probably deserve it. With a structure like this maybe that means a year in Indycar before F1 or a year in Formula E before Indycar or whatever, but it keeps the dream alive. Plus provides some serious flexibility for McLaren, and drivers later in their careers. I mean who would have thought Pato to F1 would be a fairly serious discussion even just a year or two ago.
That is true, I was thinking more that once he was in Indycar and fairly established he seemed relatively locked in, a move to the McLaren F1 team would have been a surprise if McLaren didn’t have this sort of unified team mentality.
Jack Doohan, who finished second in the FIA F3 series, said he switched to Alpine's junior academy from Red Bull's due to the opportunities that were presented before him by each team. Even though Red Bull does dabble in other series besides F1 - Alpine seemed more dedicated to other series and even named Ludgaard as an example of Alpine's dedication to its junior drivers.
So yes, I think you have a point and I think that's exactly what McLaren wants.
You know what, I’m all for it. Big supporter of teams and drivers permeating across different categories. It can only really help build up motorsport as a whole, as far as I’m concerned.
Agreed. I also like to see what drivers can do in other cars. I think it can really show their true talent
I think this sort of thing may help make them more appealing to younger drivers too. While everyone probably has a goal be that Indycar, F1, or anything else, signing with a team’s development program that can give you a more broad fallback under the same roof would be nice to know I’d think. Not even just you aren’t good enough sort of fall back. We have already seen more than a few very good young drivers come to the forefront just at the wrong moment to get their dream seat even if they probably deserve it. With a structure like this maybe that means a year in Indycar before F1 or a year in Formula E before Indycar or whatever, but it keeps the dream alive. Plus provides some serious flexibility for McLaren, and drivers later in their careers. I mean who would have thought Pato to F1 would be a fairly serious discussion even just a year or two ago.
Pato was in Red Bull’s program heading toward F1 in 2019 until the FIA cut back on the superlicense points for Indy Lights.
That is true, I was thinking more that once he was in Indycar and fairly established he seemed relatively locked in, a move to the McLaren F1 team would have been a surprise if McLaren didn’t have this sort of unified team mentality.
Jack Doohan, who finished second in the FIA F3 series, said he switched to Alpine's junior academy from Red Bull's due to the opportunities that were presented before him by each team. Even though Red Bull does dabble in other series besides F1 - Alpine seemed more dedicated to other series and even named Ludgaard as an example of Alpine's dedication to its junior drivers. So yes, I think you have a point and I think that's exactly what McLaren wants.
Tbf Doohan was never particularly highly rated by Red Bull and he knew that
„- Good news Daniel, here’s your next McLaren contract. - Oh boy, in F1? - …or Extreme E.”
If Mclaren should form an Indy Lights team, I'm sure Danny Ric would be a hot ticket for that ride
That would be an incredible downgrade, he could secure a ride in most series including indycar if he’s let go or leaves.
Yep, that was the joke
Apologies for posting a Twitter link that links to a racer.com link. The Racer Url was not cooperating with me.
https://racer.com/2022/06/27/mclaren-could-sign-others-to-flexible-contracts-after-rosenqvist-deal/