The group which owns Formula 1 has downplayed speculation it is looking to acquire IndyCar, while the North American single-seater series says it wouldn’t want to sell up.
Rumours emerged prior to the most recent round of the IndyCar Series in Long Beach that its owners Penske Entertainment were in discussions with Liberty Media.
Penske Entertainment owns the IndyCar Series and Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is headed up by motorsport mogul Roger Penske.
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Liberty Media bought Formula 1 in 2016 while IndyCar and the speedway was acquired by Penske Entertainment in 2019.
IndyCar downplayed talk of a takeover, Penske Corporation president Bud Denker telling Racer magazine, “There’s no truth to any of that.
“There’s been no discussion, and frankly, we wouldn’t sell it. Being the stewards of the Indy 500 and being stewards of the IndyCar Series go hand in hand.
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“We bought this series and bought the Speedway in 2020, and as long as we own both of those, they’re going to stay together.”
Meanwhile, Racer was told the rumour was “completely wrong” by sources within Liberty Media and Formula 1.
Rumours of a takeover were interspersed with suggestions that Liberty Media might like to use IndyCar as a feeder series to the world championship.
IndyCar has not propelled a driver to Formula 1 in recent years, although the likes of Alex Palou, Pato O’Ward, and Colton Herta have all tested top-flight machinery with McLaren.
Ex-Formula 1 team manager and journalist Peter Windsor said the move was designed to create another rung on the ladder to the top.
“One of the things Liberty are looking at at the moment – and this is quite a good idea – is buying IndyCar to make it effectively an American feeder series for F1,” said Windsor.
“How they would do that, I don’t know – maybe get rid of some of the ovals and make it even more road coursey (sic), maybe make the cars a little bit more F1-like, maybe carbon brakes or whatever. Maybe that’s why Zak (Brown, McLaren CEO) is there.
“That’s not a completely stupid idea. I think it’s quite a cool idea actually because it’s a place where you could put a lot of good, talented drivers who can’t make it into Formula 1 and then they go and do this American series. It makes sense to me to do that.”
IndyCar Series driver Rinus VeeKay said the series can stand on its own two feet and shouldn’t be seen as a stepping stone.
“Well, I hope that’s not going to happen ever,” said VeeKay.
“I like the competition between IndyCar and Formula 1. They’re both the leading series in the world.
“Formula 1 is now kind of taking over the US, but I think IndyCar is still the series here.
“I think it’s always nice, keeps everyone sharp if we keep battling.
“I don’t want IndyCar to become a step up in the ladder towards Formula 1.”
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