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More IndyCar stars hit back over Hamilton comments

Lewis Hamilton's dismissive comments about IndyCar racing have been rebuked by two more of the US open wheel series' stars.

Hamilton had previously told L’Equipe magazine that Fernando Alonso's success in the Indy 500 - right up to the moment his engine failed - showed that the standard of Formula 1 drivers was higher than in IndyCar.

His comments had already been already criticised by 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner Tony Kanaan. The veteran Brazilian star said: "The guy competed in a two-car world championship last year and was second, so I don't think he can say much."

Now two more long-serving IndyCar stars have voiced their opinions about Hamilton's comments.

“It’s funny hearing comments about the depth of our field from someone that only has to race three other cars,” said Canadian racer James Hinchcliffe.

And Graham Rahal, who won Saturday's IndyCar race in Detroit - was equally annoyed.

“When I saw Lewis Hamilton’s comment, you guys know me, it took me everything I had in my body not to say something," said Rahal.

Rahal is the son of Bobby Rahal, who briefly competed in Formula 1 in the 1970s and subsequently part of Jaguar F1 management.

Tony Kanaan dresses down not-so-humble Lewis Hamilton

"Legitimately, in Formula 1, over his entire career, it’s been a two-car race. Four max," he continued. "IndyCar racing, this is the seventh race, seventh different winner. That doesn’t happen in other motor sports. Period.

"No matter what anybody wants to say, it’s a great form of motor sports," Rahal insisted.

“I can’t imagine the feeling of going to each and every race weekend and knowing that all I got to do is beat my teammate and I’m going to win. But that doesn’t happen here.

Rahal suggested that Scott Dixon should be viewed as one of the best drivers in the world.

"Look, the truth? I put Scott Dixon in a Mercedes all day long, and Lewis is going to have more than he really wants to deal with. I can guarantee you that. Maybe not me, but Scott Dixon."

Dixon came second in Saturday's race less than a week after suffering a terrifying accident in the Indy 500

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Andrew Lewin

Andrew first became a fan of Formula 1 during the time when Michael Schumacher and Damon Hill were stepping into the limelight after the era of Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Aryton Senna. He's been addicted ever since, and has been writing about the sport now for nearly a quarter of a century for a number of online news sites. He's also written professionally about GP2 (now Formula 2), GP3, IndyCar, World Rally Championship, MotoGP and NASCAR. In his other professional life, Andrew is a freelance writer, social media consultant, web developer/programmer, and digital specialist in the fields of accessibility, usability, IA, online communities and public sector procurement. He worked for many years in magazine production at Bauer Media, and for over a decade he was part of the digital media team at the UK government's communications department. Born and raised in Essex, Andrew currently lives and works in south-west London.