Quote:
Originally Posted by astrochex
Let's call it confusion then because Indycar popularity has nothing to with the difficulty and nuances of racing in much less succeeding in the Indy 500.
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I think you and I are talking apples and oranges.
My point all throughout the thread is that F1 is considered the pinnacle of motorsport. I don't believe I have made comment on the difficulty of Indy 500, so here goes. I do believe the 500 is extremely difficult and not for just some dude off the street that thinks he can drive. Alonso is not just some dude but he already has a ride in another formula, which has a race that weekend.
The point, and that of the quoted comment from BBC Sport, is that if Alonso does not win or do very well it will be a black mark for F1 given it is considered superior to Indy Car.
Secondly, I believe the Indy Car series fallen on hard times which I think is a shame. I remember a time in the 90's when Champ and F1 were very close in racing quality, popularity, and exposure, and that Champ would have been in a place that F1 is in now if that had remained constant. That all changed with the IRL Indy 500 lockout and with the division of Champ and IRL as two different series. That division nearly killed both and only Champ survived. It would be nice to see that return but things have likely gotten to a point that it will never be a reality.