In the late 1990s, Jeff Gordon, a rising star already entrenched as a NASCAR sensation, nearly made a move that could have dramatically altered the world of motorsports: a switch to Formula 1. As Formula 1 steadily gains popularity in the United States and threatens to surpass NASCAR in the coming years, many observers now look back at Gordon’s missed opportunity, wondering if F1’s history in America might have been rewritten if he had joined the grid decades earlier.
The story of how Jeff Gordon almost became an F1 driver surfaced during a recent discussion on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour podcast. Will Buxton, Fox Sports’ IndyCar Series announcer, recounted details he learned directly from Dario Franchitti, the champion driver. According to Buxton, the original plan in the late 1990s was for Gordon to transition into open-wheel racing, beginning with the IndyCar Series, while Franchitti would head to Formula 1 with British American Racing (BAR). After both drivers adjusted to their new environments, they would unite as teammates for BAR in F1, aiming to break through into the American market together.
Buxton explained,
By that point, Jeff Gordon was at the height of his powers in NASCAR, securing race wins and championships with regularity. The leap to open-wheel racing, involving a shift to unfamiliar cars and tracks, represented a significant gamble. Reflecting on the challenge, Gordon admitted,
On the official F1 podcast, Jeff Gordon revealed he found the prospect too daunting, calling it
The opportunity to explore the world of Formula 1 came through F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve, who approached Gordon in 1997 with a proposal to join the IndyCar Series, and potentially advance to F1 by 1999. Barry Green’s successful IndyCar team (now Andretti Autosport) extended him a seat, but Gordon chose to remain in NASCAR, favoring stability over risk. Many now view this decision as a significant loss for Formula 1 rather than for Gordon himself.
If Jeff Gordon had taken the leap, Formula 1 might have established a stronghold in the U.S. much sooner. His star power, combined with his racing talent, could have accelerated F1’s popularity and brought a new generation of American fans to the sport. Instead, the motorsports landscape shifted more slowly, leaving fans to imagine what could have been had Jeff Gordon donned a Formula 1 helmet. As F1’s presence continues to grow in America, this missed opportunity remains one of the most compelling “what if” stories in racing—reminding everyone of the thin lines that define sporting legacies and popular momentum.
