IndyCar should be considered a path to F1 - Ryan Hunter-Reay

Indy 500 winner and 2012 IndyCar champ Ryan Hunter-Reay believes the American series is as competitive as it has ever been, and its credentials should be considered a legitimate road to Grand Prix racing.

While not a single F1 driver has originated from the US series since the reunification of IndyCar and the CART World Series in 2008, Hunter-Reay thinks open-wheel racing in America has now emerged from the doldrums and should be viewed as a serious trail to Formula 1.

"I think it is really about a fork in the road very early in your career," he told Sky Sports F1.

"If you want to be in F1 you have to come up through the F1 ladder which is in Europe, and if you want to be an IndyCar driver you come up through the American ladder and that is just the way it is."

In the past, IndyCar was recognized worldwide as a competitive series, attracting to America the likes of Nigel Mansell, or sending across the pond successful drivers such as Jacques Villeneuve and Juan-Pablo Montoya.

"Once upon a time there was a road to F1 through IndyCar success and I just think that after a few weak years by IndyCar that kind of went away, "explained the Andretti Autosport driver.

"Now IndyCar's championship is as strong as ever, I think it is the best and most competitive it has ever been, and I'm not just saying that because I am in it. We demonstrate that week in, week out with the product on track."

Just as an American F1 team - Haas - is set for its grand debut while the US Grand Prix itself remains in financial jeopardy, the future of Formula 1 in the United States remains uncertain.

And Ryan Hunter-Reay doesn't believe Haas' presence on the grid this year will be enough to rekindle America's interest in F1.

"It is so hard to crack the sporting market in the United States because it is so saturated. We have football, basketball, baseball - there are so many options you have to capture the fans' attention.

"I think Formula 1 racing in general can do it, but it is going to take more of a presence in the United States other than just a team that calls itself 'USF1' even though it is based in the UK, which it has to be I think.

"Hopefully we can get some more races over here, I'm not sure what the solution is, but I'm a fan of any success of motorsport in the United States."

McLaren legend Tyler Alexander dies aged 75

Hamilton v Prost v Schumacher