Agustin Canapino’s blistering start to his IndyCar career has earned him plaudits from highly experienced drivers, including Indy 500 winner and two-time series champion Josef Newgarden.
The Argentinian had not raced a single-seater before his debut in the series on the streets of St. Petersburg.
Newgarden hailed Canapino as “one of the most impressive drivers I’ve ever seen” earlier this year, as the 33-year-old seamlessly adjusted to the unfamiliar world of IndyCar racing.
The Juncos Hollinger driver was delighted to hear Newgarden’s comments and said it would motivate him going forward.
“It’s incredible. I am very proud, of course, and I can’t believe it because I saw Josef on my TV for many years here in Argentina, and now hearing that phrase from him is really nice.
“Every day, I am proud and thankful for Josef. It’s a motivation because I never imagined in my life, driving an IndyCar; driving Indy and doing this, I am motivated for the future. I will try to take this opportunity with my 100%.”
Drivers from Formula 1 and IndyCar have experienced each other’s championships over the years, with varying degrees of success.
1995 Indy 500 winner Jacques Villeneuve switched to Formula 1 a year later. He won the world title in a controversial showdown at Jerez with Michael Schumacher in his second F1 campaign.
On the contrary, double Formula 1 world champion Fernando Alonso floundered during two of his three attempts to win the Indy 500, even suffering the agony of getting bumped out of qualifying for the race in 2019 by Kyle Kaiser and Juncos.
Canapino explained that IndyCar drivers need to be more well-rounded than their F1 counterparts, as racing on ovals requires a unique skill set — but the 33-year-old rates three-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen higher than anyone else.
“So Verstappen is undoubtedly the best driver in the world. But the difference is that in IndyCar, you must have more things in your mind and be a more dynamic driver.
“You have to be a more dynamic driver because you have to drive in the ovals, go without power assistance, and drive more than two hours in a race.
“You have to be more complete because you have to compete in the ovals. This is a big difference. The oval is a totally different situation for the driver. Honestly, it’s different. You have to have a more physical.”
The Argentinian said that Formula 1 sits above every other championship, but IndyCar provides a different challenge for the drivers, mainly as the latter runs without power steering.
“Of course, from what I’ve said, [F1 is] the top category, the top teams, and the top drivers are the top series in the world, without a doubt.
“But for the drivers, in a logical situation, you have to run without power assistance in a steering wheel for more than two hours a race.
“You have to be more complete. But I do not mean that it’s harder or that Formula 1 is easy. No, it’s different. But you have to have more things to do in the car.”
Photo credit: Penske Entertainment | Chris Owens
