Andretti Autosport team owner Michael Andretti is hopeful downforce levels will be increased so to give fans a better show at the Phoenix International Raceway when the first Verizon IndyCar Series race for eleven years at the circuit takes place in April.
Andretti is hopeful higher downforce levels will make it easier for drivers to overtake rather than just sit in order, even when coming up to lap other drivers.
“I’m worried that we’re gonna have a situation where the lead driver will come around to the back of the field and just stall,” said Andretti to Motorsport.com. “So I’m pushing for more downforce to give us more racing.”
Andretti is worried that IndyCar could have a race much like the 2009 race around the Richmond International Raceway where the leaders of the race came across the backmarkers but did not attempt to pass them due to the difficulty in overtaking at the track.
“That’s exactly the race we mentioned, yeah,” said Andretti. “We can’t afford to put on that kind of a show. This is Phoenix, we’re returning here for the first time in 10 years, there’s high expectations for a good race.
“We’re not going to make a good show if we go with the downforce they have currently, so that’s why we’re pushing for more downforce for the race.
“People will say we’re pushing for that because we think we have an advantage. But no – we as a series just can’t afford to screw up this race. Certain people want less downforce because they couldn’t give a damn about the show. I’m looking big picture, looking from the fan perspective.”
