Dixon wants more 'cool crossovers' like Alonso

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Reigning IndyCar champion Scott Dixon says that drivers like Fernando Alonso that step out of their comfort zone are a big benefit to the sport.

Alonso - who departed from F1 at the end of last year - launched his 2019 season with a resounding win in the Rolex 24 with Wayne Taylor Racing and his team mates Jordan Taylor, Renger Van Der Zende and Kamui Kobayashi.

In motorsport's current day and age of specialization and exclusivity contracts, Alonso's versatility and quest to broaden of his horizons reminds us that decades ago, diversification was a rule rather than an exception for top drivers.

Alonso vows to be 'calm and clever' about his future

"I think it’s cool — I think it’s huge for the sport," Dixon told Racer.

"Obviously as a driver, you just want to be on an even footing and race against the best. From day to day that can change, it’s constantly a moving target.

"Contractually it’s very tough," the Kiwi admitted however. "I know in my situation alone with Chip (Ganassi) it gets tough. But that opens a lot more eyes and maybe allows it to somewhat be okay."

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While he will continue his WEC super-season programme with Toyota this year, Alonso will also return to the brickyard in May for another shot at winning the Indy 500, a challenge Dixon welcomes.

"It’s very beneficial to IndyCar racing," he added.

"We all know what a huge talent Fernando is and what he’s achieved, and I think going back to the crossovers that he’s been doing and chasing some of these marquee events is cool to see, because in our current sport that’s just typically not allowed.

"It’s great to get to race Fernando, him stepping out of his comfort zone is really cool to see too and what he’s achieved so far has been really cool."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.