Formula 1: Kevin Magnussen dreams of IndyCar and the Indy 500

Formula 1 drivers in IndyCar and at the Indy 500 aren’t too uncommon. For Kevin Magnussen, a full IndyCar season is on his post-F1 bucket list.

It appears that a bit of “Alonso-mania” from last year’s Indianapolis 500 attempt by two-time Formula 1 champion Fernando Alonso is still alive and well in the Formula 1 paddock.

During the 2017 Japanese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton said on the podium he might have to drive in the Indy 500 after seeing the championship ring worn by 2017 Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato. For Haas F1’s Kevin Magnussen, though, the Indy 500 is just a part of a bigger IndyCar dream.

The 25-year-old Dane recently disclosed to Crash.net that he wants to take part in a full IndyCar season eventually.

"“I would love to do it. I would never put aside Formula 1 to do it, but I would love to do it. It’s one of those things that I dream about at night sometimes. It’s just something that really turns me on.“It would require full focus, and I’d like to do more than just the Indy 500. I’d like to do a full season of IndyCar if I was going to do it I think. But whether I’ll get a chance to do that, I don’t know. If I race here for 15 years, then would you really want to go and do that after? Maybe. Maybe not.”"

A full IndyCar season is doable at that age. A.J. Foyt Enterprises’ Tony Kanaan is 43 years old and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. The one thing that Magnussen might find problematic, however, is being sick on oval tracks. Nigel Mansell’s year-long sabbatical in IndyCar in 1993 was one of the greatest one-off seasons in motorsport, but in a 2013 CNN interview, the Briton admitted the ovals made him sick.

If Magnussen attempts the Indy 500 at age 40, the Dane wouldn’t be the oldest driver to attempt his first Indy 500, and he wouldn’t even be the first 40-year-old F1 driver to do it, either. That honor belongs to Rubens Barrichello when he competed in the race in 2012.

According to Magnussen’s Crash.net interview, there was an attempt by him to drive in the race in 2015 for Andretti Autosport after being dropped by McLaren, but that move was blocked by McLaren, which shows a sharp contrast to McLaren’s efforts in regard to Alonso’s attempt in the race last year.

"“I went to Andretti in Indianapolis, I had talks with them, and I nearly had a go. It was very, very close. But things didn’t turn out as I wanted with McLaren. I didn’t really have the support that I needed from them at the time. They supported me very well before that, but in that moment, they didn’t do a great job, I have to admit.”"