Rossi excited by Miami GP but sees F1 as rival to IndyCar in the US

Following opening practice for the fourth round of the 2022 IndyCar season at Barber Motorsports Park, Rossi said F1’s arrival in Miami is “going to be awesome” and said that adding a Las Vegas race in 2023 was justified, which will see F1 expand to having three races in the US, plus the Canadian GP and the Mexico City GP also in North America.

He went on: “I'm just excited for Formula 1 and America, honestly. It's been a long time coming to have multiple races in the States. It's a big country. There's no reason not to have three. Obviously starting next year in theory we're going to have three. That's an amazing thing.”

Rossi, who is the most recent US driver to compete in F1 having made five grand prix starts for Manor Marussia in 2015, said he also believed F1's boom was a boost to IndyCar, because “people are just becoming aware again of motorsports, what it has to offer, how cool it is. I think we went through a period of time where the younger generation, they weren't as interested in cars, getting their licence. I think I was honestly a part of that kind of final phase of really loving cars and such.

“I think now that motorsports is offering more than just cars, it's an entertainment entity, people are being drawn back into it and realising it's a pretty awesome sport. I think all forms of motorsports are on the rise right now. I think it all kind of coincides with each other, which is really exciting to be a part of.”

Alexander Rossi, Manor F1

Photo by: Alastair Staley / Motorsport Images

But he also warned that IndyCar needs to up its game in appealing to the public in terms of attendance.

Asked directly if he considered F1 as a competitor to IndyCar, he replied: “Sure, it is, especially when you look at US