MOTORSPORT.COM: Rossi excited by Miami GP, but F1 is rival to IndyCar
Following opening practice for the fourth round of the NTT IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park, Rossi said that F1’s arrival in Miami is “going to be awesome” and said that adding a Las Vegas race in 2023 to the extant rounds at Circuit of The Americas and Miami, was justified.
He went on: “I'm just excited for Formula 1 and America, honestly. It's been a long time coming to have multiple races in the States. It's a big country. There's no reason not to have three. Obviously starting next year in theory we're going to have three. That's an amazing thing.”
Rossi said he also believed that increased F1 booming was a boost to IndyCar, because “people are just becoming aware again of motorsports, what it has to offer, how cool it is. I think we went through a period of time where the younger generation, they weren't as interested in cars, getting their licenses. I think I was honestly a part of that kind of final phase of really loving cars and such.
“I think now that motorsports is offering more than just cars, it's an entertainment entity, people are being drawn back into it and realizing it's a pretty awesome sport. I think all forms of motorsports are on the rise right now. I think it all kind of coincides with each other, which is really exciting to be a part of.”
But he also warned that IndyCar needs to up its game in appealing to the public in terms of attendance. Asked directly if he considered Formula 1 as a competitor to IndyCar, he replied: “Sure, it is, especially when you look at U.S. market share. With three races, it's something we need to be aware of, certainly continue our development and plan in terms of what we're doing with the series, with the driver personalities, the teams, the representation we have out there. I think it's certainly a moving target.”
