Christian Lunger, a former Alpine F1 team training driver, said that F1 machines are “easier” to drive than IndyCar, and if Sebastian Vettel, who announced his retirement from F1, switched to IndyCar, he would comply with the request. Adapting will face difficult challenges, he said.
Amid speculation that Sebastian Vettel will retire from F1 this spring, Bobby Rahal, founder and co-owner of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, has said he would like Vettel to test the car. .
And then Sebastian Vettel announced that 2022 with Aston Martin F1 would be his final season in F1.
Former Formula 2 racer Christian Lunger, who signed a new multi-year IndyCar deal with Rahal Letterman Lanningan, was asked what he thought of the idea of Sebastian Vettel trying out IndyCar.
“Honestly, I think it would be cool for Sebastian to drive an IndyCar. I’ve driven a Formula 1 car. I’ve tested quite a few days with Renault,” said Christian Lunger.
“So I’m going to be honest. Personally, it was the easiest car I’ve ever driven. It’s easy to drive to a certain extent.”
“And the reason we think F1 is split at the front of the field and the midfield is so close together is that the cars are very drivable up to certain limits, and then half a second to a second. hard to find
“The car has a lot of downforce and sticks to the ground, right? So if Sebastian comes here, you have to make the car work you have to force it down…the car drives you. You’re driving a car. It’s a tough transition.”
“But to be honest, I think there are a lot of F1 drivers who would like to try IndyCar.”
Christian Lunger, who scored his first IndyCar podium at the Indianapolis road course last month, named two drivers he felt would be stronger if he, like himself, made the move from Formula 2 to IndyCar. One is current points leader Felipe Dolgovic and the other is Marcus Armstrong, who has two wins this year.
“Looking at Felipe, I think he’s done a very good job this year,” said Christian Lunger.
“He has had a very good start to the season and is in a position to score points and maintain his lead in the championship.”
“I was teammates with Marcus in 2020 in Formula 2. He had a very difficult year that year, but I know Marcus is a good driver.
“He can beat the car too. I don’t know much regarding Felipe, but I think Marcus can definitely go fast.”
“The thing regarding IndyCar is that you have to go fast every time, which is difficult. And I think the transition to ovals is difficult.”
Christian Lunger has spoken of the strong performances of himself and fellow former F2 racer and F1 tester rookie Callum Ilott at this year’s IndyCar:
“I think the Dallara rink is a big factor, but I think the change from Pirelli tires to Firestone tires was a big advantage for Callum and I because we have the experience of proper tire savings and tire care. Because I think, because Pirelli tires are tricky, it’s very difficult to understand and it’s different from track to track,” commented Christian Lunger.
“I feel like I can do a lot more with Firestone here, so I can really push the tires. But I also know how to get faster, but at the same time, I save tires now. I know how
“We’ve shown that we can do a good job and be fast, and now I think it helped us race better. But looking at it, I think we did pretty well in qualifying as well. ”
“I don’t think the car will run dramatically differently. I think the IndyCar will be more overpowered. It’s a gentle ride.”
“I think the biggest difference for me is the tyres, but the handling of the cars is pretty much the same. It’s a little bit different, but nothing dramatic.”
