Should more F1 drivers race outside Formula 1?
Summary
A poll asks whether current F1 drivers should compete in other series, referencing recent GT outings by Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll and the historic precedent of multi‑discipline racers.
Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll recently entered GT races during an unexpected F1 break, prompting a PlanetF1 poll on whether more active F1 drivers should compete in other series. The question revives a long‑standing debate about driver development, fan interest and the increasingly packed F1 calendar.
Why it matters:
Racing outside F1 can keep drivers sharp during calendar gaps and give fans fresh match‑ups, but it also risks fatigue and distracts from the core championship.
The details:
- Verstappen and Stroll entered the GT World Challenge at Paul Ricard; Stroll’s team took penalties that ended their chance of victory.
- Legends like Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jacky Ickx, Mario Andretti, Stirling Moss and Fernando Alonso (who ran the 2017 Indy 500 with McLaren’s blessing) have also raced elsewhere.
- With ~23 races on five continents, the modern F1 calendar leaves little room for extra commitments without hurting preparation or recovery.
- The poll asks fans to vote Yes or No on whether more current drivers should race in other series this season.
What's next:
- Results will appear in the next PlanetF1 Postbox, likely sparking discussion among teams and drivers.
- A clear “yes” could prompt teams to negotiate flexible GT, endurance or IndyCar entries during future calendar gaps.
- A strong “no” would reinforce that drivers must stay focused on the championship as the sport expands its race‑weekend format.
Original Article :https://www.planetf1.com/news/f1-drivers-racing-other-series-should-formula-1-st...