Juan Pablo Montoya wants more Formula 1 drivers to continue attempting other racing series in the wake of Fernando Alonso’s decision to run in the 101st running of the Indianapolis 500.
Montoya has won the 24 hours of Daytona three times, the Champ Car title, the Indy 500 twice, as well as winning in NASCAR, proving that it’s not impossible to branch out if it were to be desired.
Montoya told Autosport: “It would be nice for motorsports to do a little more of that because it’s just going to create a little more interest overall.
“It is something that it would be nice to see all motorsports to be able to see top drivers jump from one to the other just for one race. I was lucky enough to be in all the top series in the world and being able to win in all of them and everything.
“I’ve been very blessed in that point of view.”
Alonso will be running against Montoya at the famous brickyard and has recently offered help to his former F1 rival, but the seven-time grand prix winner did not expect to be competing against the Spaniard in IndyCar, let alone again in their careers.
“If you would have told me I was going to win a race ever against Alonso, it would be an endurance race or something, not in Indy to be honest,” added Montoya.
“I think it’s great. I think having Fernando is going to be a really good day for motorsports, not only for Indycar, but I think the attention overall for seeing Fernando and myself and everybody running Indy is going to be really big.”
