Why this all-conquering star never went to F1

Scott Dixon will go down as one of the greatest drivers never to race Formula One but the Kiwi has explained why he has no regrets.

Dixon recently won his sixth IndyCar title and is more than content with his standing as a superstar in the United States scene rather than the global extravaganza that is F1.

In reflecting on a year that now has him just one title behind AJ Foyt's record seven, the old F1 question keeps getting raised.

"My wife asks me that, occasionally, 'Are you sad that you didn't chase the F1 thing more?' No, not really," Dixon told Autoweek.

"There's no reflection on did we make a bad choice or anything like that. I think we made the best choice, absolutely. There's no denying that."

After winning his first IndyCar championship in 2003, Dixon was invited to try out with powerful F1 outfit Williams. But any hopes of racing in F1 would have to be earned through a testing role with the Williams team, something Dixon wasn't prepared to endure.

"We just won the championship. Do you go to Formula 1 and be a test driver and be lost forever, or do you continue on racing?" he said, answering his own question.

Now 40, Dixon says he has no intentions on retiring.

"No, definitely not," Dixon told Autoweek.

"Earlier, when you look at championships, people were already talking about seven, which seems so far away when you have five, especially with how tough the competition is. But now seven is a lot more achievable now that we have six. And it's the same with the race wins. But, honestly, I just love to race.

"I'm so lucky, I'm so privileged. I get to do what I love. I get to work with the best in the business. I have such a great relationship with Chip (Ganassi) and Mike Hull and everyone on the team. The passion is still there, the fire burns hot, maybe one day it will end, it has to, but not right now."

Dixon felt his sixth IndyCar title was extra special given the ever-changing season as the championship was hit by the uncertainties around the coronavirus pandemic that has raged in the United States since March.

"It was an emotional ride for us all. Trust me, it's a year none of us are going to forget, but for me even more so," Dixon said.

"Winning the championship is huge any year, but this year more so. This one feels extremely special for sure."

Dixon's ability to manage fuel sets him apart, though there is much more behind his success.

"One thing is the technique (of saving fuel in a race) and, maybe, the (other thing is the) will to learn about it," Dixon said.

"I love digging deep into situations like that and trying to better yourself or giving yourself more options.

"You need all the tools, man. There's many different strategies to win a race and you need to try to cover them all."

*This article was originally published on Stuff.co.nz and reproduced with permission