Seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton talks about what he wants to do when he retires.
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 driver, seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, is still out of contract for the following seasons. Hamilton’s contracts are always a talking point, as the champion’s presence in any team could change their place within the grid.But, also the Brit talks about what he wants to do within the motorsport world outside of Formula 1, and one of the talking points was about IndyCar.Hamilton had the opportunity to drive other cars and motorbikes in one-off presentations. Famously, he could ride Valentino Rossi’s bike, while the MotoGP legend drove the Mercedes W08, 2017 championship-winning car, on the Valencia circuit.“I did a car swap with Tony Stewart [3-time NASCAR Cup Series champion] years ago [2011 at Watkins Glen], which was fun. I’d love to try it at some stage. It’s not a dream for me to go and race in another series, but I am an admirer and a fan of racing and other sports, so I always like to try, and you know, it’s an amazing opportunity.
“I sometimes watch IndyCar. I’d love to try one of those cars at some stage. I’m not a big fan of the big screens [aeroscreen] that they have [right now] but like the old-school cars they have, the cars sound and look good.
“But right now, my focus is solely on Formula 1. So I don’t plan on leaving here anytime soon.”
Formula 1 drivers going to the States to try IndyCars competitively is not something new. Going back only to 1993, CART’s grid was composed of F1 World Champions Emerson Fittipaldi, Mario Andretti, and Nigel Mansell, who would win that year’s championship. Also, his idol Ayrton Senna tried an IndyCar in 1992. As his contract talks with McLaren stagnated, the 3-time World Champion accepted Emerson Fittipaldi’s invite to drive his Penske Chevrolet PC22 at the Firebird Raceway, in Phoenix, Arizona. In the following season, he would drive for McLaren on a race-to-race basis, earning $1 million dollars each contract, as the Brazilian was focused on getting the Williams seat the following season.
And, in the last decade, many F1 drivers tried their luck. Famously rival Fernando Alonso attempted to win the Indy 500 three times. Takuma Sato won it twice. Romain Grosjean debuted in the series in 2021 achieving two podiums in his rookie season, and Kevin Magnussen had a go when Arrow McLaren driver Felix Rosenqvist was injured.Will Hamilton be on the grid for at least an Indy 500 attempt? Surely would be one of the biggest talking points in motorsport and one of those rare images that every single fan would love to see.
