"Dixon had undoubtedly become world champion F1 under the right circumstances"

27 June 2020 at 18:37

Last update 27 June 2020 at 18:49

GPblog.com

Just like Formula 1, the IndyCar championship has become a lot more international in recent decades and many drivers with a background in European racing have also had success. However, New Zealander Scott Dixon chose to go to America at an early stage. There he became the most successful driver of his generation, but no one knows how he had held his own in Europe.

Drivers who choose to go to IndyCar after the step up to Formula 1 are often accused of not being good enough for F1. You can't say that about Scott Dixon. His manager, former Formula 1 and IndyCar driver Stefan Johansson has no doubts; Dixon had also been successful in Formula 1.

"I think he became world champion", says the Swede in the Beyond The Grid podcast of F1. "In F1 you have to have the right car at the right time. The timing is crucial, but if everything had fallen into place, he would undoubtedly have been world champion. I think he's definitely one of the best drivers ever, in any race class".

Failed F1 deal was lucrative for Dixon

Johansson goes on to say that the opportunity to switch to Formula 1 did present itself in 2003. He drove a test for Williams and that went well, but engine supplier BMW did not want a debutant in the car at that time. And so Johansson used the F1 interest to make a lucrative deal with Chip Ganassi.

Dixon still drives for that team and in those years of collaboration he won 46 victories and won the title five times. Statistics with which he only has to tolerate legends AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti. Dixon will turn 40 this year, but again he will lead the championship.