Tony Kanaan: “I could drive 10 more years”

With 23 seasons under your belt, you thought you had seen it all, but then there was Covid-19…

Honestly, it wasn't that critical for me. Having to run only five races on ovals this year, my season was only supposed to start in May, in Indianapolis. I was prepared for it and I finally competed in my first race only two weeks later than planned, in Texas. So I can't compare myself to the pilots who were in St Petersburg and had to turn around.

Was settling for ovals for your final season your choice?

The team having lost a sponsor, a full season was not possible. AJ Foyt Racing, however, wanted to offer me a farewell tour and we found this solution to suit everyone. I focus on the ovals and Seb (Bourdais. Editor's note)'s mission is to take the team to a new level on road and urban roads. He is one of the best drivers in the world and is going to get there. Each driver (Charlie Kimball is hired full-time, and Kanaan shares the No. 14 with Bourdais and Dalton Kellet. Editor's note) arrived with their sponsors so that the team survives. Me, old partners with whom I had shone.

How did you experience the first race, in Texas?

It was difficult, because I was not able to carry out tests beforehand, as was planned. I hadn't touched one IndyCar since October. Eight months without driving was a first in my career. But I appreciated this start of a return to normality. With practice, qualifying and the race all on the same day, it was intense. I had to adapt, especially since I had never driven with the aeroscreen.

You who are so popular, what did you think of the closed session?

It was a strange feeling, the strangest of my career. In 38 years, since I started in karting, I had never raced in front of completely empty stands. I always spent a lot of time with the fans and I really missed it. Without fans, there is no motorsport. It’s sad, but that’s the price you pay for running today.

You finished 10th, but the car was competitive. Was it a relief after two difficult years?

There were a lot of changes in the team during the off-season (notably the arrival of new engineers. Editor’s note). I was happy but not surprised. We were among the ten best all day, which is promising, especially since I want to finish in style.

With Indy 500, which you won in 2013, as your number 1 objective...

Absolutely. I have always performed well there, even over the last two years. To win the Indy 500 is incredible, to do it again during my farewell tour, I can't even imagine what I would feel.

Your astonishing record run of 318 starts in a row since 2001 will come to an end this weekend at the Indianapolis GP. Does it feel weird?

It’s incredible, even if this record will undoubtedly be beaten, perhaps by Scott (Dixon, 258 consecutive starts. Editor’s note), my runner-up. But I have already been lucky to extend this series, since it should have ended at the beginning of March in St Petersburg.

 Were there any races where you were close to giving up?

Yes, two in particular. In 2003, I broke my leg in a collision in Japan with Scott Dixon, during the round before the Indy 500. I raced with a carbon fiber brace and 14 screws in my leg (he had finished 3rd. Ed.). In 2008, I broke four ribs at the Indy 500 but I was still at the start a week later in Milwaukee. I really suffered during these two races, but I'm happy to have held up.

In more than two decades, how have you seen IndyCar evolve?

After the CART-IndyCar split (in 1996. Editor’s note), the series struggled. But since the arrival of Mark Miles (President of IndyCar since 2013. Editor's note) and Jay Frye (competition director. Editor's note), the series has grown every year. And the arrival of Roger Penske will take him to a new milestone. It is in terms of security that we have made giant strides, from the Safer barrier on oval to the aeroscreen.

Is there a development that you regret?

I would like to go back to more powerful cars. I was used to having over 1000 horsepower and today we must have around 600. My favorite car? The Reynard 98i Honda from my first season, in 1998.

Current in Formula Europa Boxer and in F3 Italy, you seemed destined for F1. How did you come to the United States?

In Europe, I struggled due to lack of sponsors. And when I realized it would be difficult to go to F1, I received an invitation from Tasman Motorsports, which dominated Indy Lights. I was sponsored by Philip Morris and teamed up with Helio Castroneves. The deal was clear: if we had two good years, they would help us move up to CART. Second in 1996, champion in 1997 in front of Helio, we both found ourselves in CART in 1998.

You arrive without speaking a word of English, but quickly become a specialist in ovals. How do you explain it?

At first I didn't like them. But through hard work, I realized that my style adapted well to these lines. It’s difficult to explain, but performing on an oval is quite natural for me.

In 2003, you were recruited by Andretti and scored your first podium at the Indy 500 alongside your compatriots Helio Castroneves and Gil de Ferran. What do you remember about it?

Gil, Helio and I had known each other for a long time. It was great for us and for Brazil, because since the death of Ayrton Senna, the country wanted to rediscover the taste of triumph. This podium left its mark.

You spent your best years at Andretti Autosport (2003-2010), where you never left the final Top 6. How did you experience this period?

With Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti, we formed a very high level line-up. The atmosphere in the team was incredible. But at the moment, you don't realize how lucky you are. Today I remember them as the best years.

You were crowned in 2004, but also finished in the final three times. Do you have any regrets?

No. I won a title and Indy 500, few drivers can say that. And your “defeats” are part of your story, part of the learning that leads you to victory.

You had to wait until your 12th start at the Indy 500 to win, in 2013. Did you believe in a curse?

I never believed that I was cursed, that I would be one of those great drivers who would not win this legendary classic, like Michael Andretti. And I ended up proving those who thought so wrong. In 2013, I took things as they came, because it could be the last race of my career. I no longer had any sponsors to finish the season. But I won and it changed my life. All these editions where I was so close to victory (four podiums between 2003 and 2012. Editor’s note) were not in vain. Becoming a legend, hearing that you were announced as the winner of the 500 Miles, it was a dream come true. Even today, when I wake up on the wrong foot or have a bad day, I watch the last laps of this 2013 edition and I find a smile again.

This victory allowed you to sign with Chip Ganassi. What do you remember from these years in Scott Dixon’s shadow?

Scott is one of the best drivers I have known. I'm happy to have spent four years in this great team, but I think I handled the situation badly and put too much pressure on myself.

In the last two years, you have not been able to get involved in the fight for the title. How frustrating was that?

You have to be clear-headed about the potential of the car and try to have as much fun as possible. I have never lost my taste for competition.

At 45, are you feeling the effects of age?

Honestly, I'm in the best shape of my life. I'm sharper than when I won the championship or Indy 500. I could drive 10 years longer. Besides, at the end of the season, I will not yet be completely retired. I plan to compete in a few more IndyCar races in the future. I would like to participate in theIMSA and I could see myself, after winning the Indy 500 and the 24 Hours of Daytona, hanging on Le Mans on my track record. You see, I have no shortage of projects.