Rahal: There's a home for Vettel in IndyCar

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IndyCar driver Graham Rahal has encouraged once again future F1 retiree Sebastian Vettel to consider an IndyCar test and perhaps a move to the series, insisting "there's a home" for the German in America.

Vettel attracted the attention of Rahal and of his father, team owner Bobby Rahal, last May in Miami when the four-time world champion suggested that F1 could have perhaps set up shop at IndyCar venue Road America rather than in Florida.

Rahal responded to Vettel's comments on Twitter, saying that if he ever wanted to test an IndyCar at Road America, his team – Rahal Letterman Lanigan – could make it happen.

In the wake of the announcement last week of Vettel's retirement from F1, Rahal reiterated his invitation to the Aston Martin F1 driver.

"It’s open anytime he wants to try and maybe he wants to come race, I’m sure we can find a way to do it," Rahal told The Race at Indianapolis last weekend.

"Like [Romain] Grosjean, I think Seb would find IndyCar a much more relaxed [environment], but also more competitive, for sure.

"And a guy like him, as a racer, I’m sure finishing 10th on back is not fun, particularly coming from the world championships and everything else that he has.

"So, if he wants to come try it, look, I’m sure there’s a seat, there’s a home for him.

"In many ways, we’re gearing up to look at a fourth [car] in the future anyway. So, not saying he wants to do it full-time, but if he wants to come try it, he certainly can."

For now, Vettel has no specific racing plans for the future beyond 2022, but the 35-year-old hasn't dismissed an involvement in another series.

"Obviously, age-wise it’s not a problem to do anything else and to do more in Formula 1," he said last week when asked whether he would be hanging up his helmet for good at the end of the season.

"That’s not the limit. I think physically I’m in a great form, I have zero problem driving these cars. So there’s nothing that would hold me back on that front.

"Because obviously the decision I’m taking now is that this chapter is ending. I’m not saying this chapter is ending because another one is opening straight away and I’m driving other cars next year.

"Time will tell. It’s probably the fairest answer I can give right now. If I want to race something, I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something."

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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.