The very presence of Rubens Barrichello at open trials and now his official switch to IZOD IndyCar will allow the series to make world motorsport headlines practically every day.
IndyCar has only have benefited from such comprehensive media coverage in the aftermath of tragic accidents, such as the death of Dan Wheldon and even Greg Moore.
An observer over at Sebring during Barrichello’s first spin behind the wheel of KV Racing’s Dallara remarked that he hadn’t seen such feverish excitement in the pit lane for ages. He even went so far as to compare the recent media frenzy with the furore that accompanied Nigel Mansell’s jump to the CART series in 1993.
And IndyCar is in desperate need of drivers of such standing. It has to compensate for the void left in the wake of Danica Patrick’s departure, who caught the media’s interest then as she does now in NASCAR.
IndyCar did try to drum up enthusiasm for talented young American drivers like Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti and JR Hildebrand, but in the end, it’s the arrival of a seasoned F1 veteran and, quite possibly, of Jean Alesi for the Indy 500, that will have the most impact.
Proof that whether we like it or not, Formula 1 truly captures the imagination of motorsport fans.
The Brazilian driver’s name won’t go down in the history books beside those of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher or Gilles Villeneuve. But after 19 seasons in one of the most prestigious automotive series in the world, Barrichello has nonetheless acquired a measure of notoriety and, especially, solid credibility.
And that credibility is exactly what IndyCar is trying to achieve while designing a new car, encouraging new engine builders, changing its sports management strategy and, most importantly, making sure that 2012 features one of the most interesting lineup of drivers in a long time.
The coming season will no doubt be one of the most exciting in many ways, and I think the presence of Rubens Barrichello represents an important step in the right direction, not only for the reconstruction of IndyCar, but also for its recognition as a major series.
IndyCar has only have benefited from such comprehensive media coverage in the aftermath of tragic accidents, such as the death of Dan Wheldon and even Greg Moore.
An observer over at Sebring during Barrichello’s first spin behind the wheel of KV Racing’s Dallara remarked that he hadn’t seen such feverish excitement in the pit lane for ages. He even went so far as to compare the recent media frenzy with the furore that accompanied Nigel Mansell’s jump to the CART series in 1993.
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| Tony Kanaan and Rubens Barrichello (Photo: KV Racing) |
And IndyCar is in desperate need of drivers of such standing. It has to compensate for the void left in the wake of Danica Patrick’s departure, who caught the media’s interest then as she does now in NASCAR.
IndyCar did try to drum up enthusiasm for talented young American drivers like Graham Rahal, Marco Andretti and JR Hildebrand, but in the end, it’s the arrival of a seasoned F1 veteran and, quite possibly, of Jean Alesi for the Indy 500, that will have the most impact.
Proof that whether we like it or not, Formula 1 truly captures the imagination of motorsport fans.
The Brazilian driver’s name won’t go down in the history books beside those of Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher or Gilles Villeneuve. But after 19 seasons in one of the most prestigious automotive series in the world, Barrichello has nonetheless acquired a measure of notoriety and, especially, solid credibility.
And that credibility is exactly what IndyCar is trying to achieve while designing a new car, encouraging new engine builders, changing its sports management strategy and, most importantly, making sure that 2012 features one of the most interesting lineup of drivers in a long time.
The coming season will no doubt be one of the most exciting in many ways, and I think the presence of Rubens Barrichello represents an important step in the right direction, not only for the reconstruction of IndyCar, but also for its recognition as a major series.