4 F1 drivers who doubled their success after joining IndyCar

IndyCar and F1 are arguably the two highest-ranked series in the open-wheel racing world. Multiple drivers, including the likes of Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and recent examples like Romain Grosjean and Marcus Ericsson, have raced in both series and achieved success in both series.

Drivers usually make the step to IndyCar after retiring from F1. However, there have been multiple drivers who, based on their success in the American open wheel racing series, got the chance or a call-up from F1, where they went on to dominate. Both Mario Andretti and Jacques Villeneuve’s success in IndyCar led to F1 drives.

However, we will be looking at the drivers who stepped into IndyCar after making their F1 debut and were able to double their success in the American open-wheel racing series.

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#4 Alexander Rossi

The American made his way up the Formula ladder and finished 3rd in the Formula Renault in 2011 and took up the role of test driver for Caterham in 2012. Alexander Rossi joined the Marussia F1 team as a reserve driver before racing for the team in a few races in 2015.

NTT IndyCar Series XPEL Grand Prix at Road America - Source: Getty

Unfortunately, Rossi couldn't find a full-time driver in F1 and joined the IndyCar series in 2016, racing for Andretti Global. The American won the Indy 500 in his debut IndyCar season and has been racing full-time since then. He left Andretti in 2022 and joined Arrow McLaren before signing with ECR ahead of the 2025 season.

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#3 Marcus Ericsson

Marcus Ericsson arrived on the F1 scene around the same time as Alexander Rossi. However, the Swedish driver became a full-time driver in 2014 with Caterham, followed by a move to Sauber the next year. Ericsson raced in F1 for five seasons but failed to make a lasting impression with the backmarker teams.

He joined IndyCar in 2019 and was signed by Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020, where he spent four years and won the Indy 500 in 2022. Ericsson then made the move to Andretti ahead of the 2024 season, where he currently races.

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#2 Nigel Mansell

Nigel Mansell made his F1 debut in 1980 for Lotus as a part-time driver before becoming their full-time driver the next year. The Briton raced for Lotus, Williams, Ferrari and even McLaren during his F1 career and won the title in 1992.

After winning the 1992 F1 title, Nigel Mansell made the move to IndyCar and joined Newman/Haas Racing in 1993. The Briton excelled in the American open wheel racing series and won the title in his rookie season. He continued racing in the series in 1994 and made part-time appearances in F1.

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#1 Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi made his F1 debut in 1970 for Lotus and won the title in 1972. He joined McLaren and won the title with them in 1974 and raced in F1 until the 1980 season.

The Brazilian motorsport legend tested the IndyCar in the mid-80s and joined Patrick Racing in 1984 and raced in the series for over a decade, as well as took the Marlboro sponsorship with him from F1 to IndyCar. Emerson Fittipaldi won the IndyCar title in 1989 with Patrick Racing and moved to Penske the subsequent year.