Who is the best non-American driver in the history of IndyCar?

IndyCar has been the home to some of the most talented drivers from all over the world. From the early days of the Indy 500 to the modern era of the series, drivers from all corners of the globe have left their mark on the sport. Here, we rank the top 10 non-American drivers in the history of IndyCar.

1. Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil)

Winning the Indianapolis 500 in 1989 and 1993, Emerson Fittipaldi is one of the most successful IndyCar drivers of all time. He also won the CART Championship Series in 1989, becoming the first foreign driver to do so. Fittipaldi is one of the most decorated drivers in the history of the sport.

2. Dario Franchitti (Scotland)

A four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Dario Franchitti is one of the most successful foreign drivers in the history of the sport. Franchitti won the IndyCar Series championship in 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011, and is tied with A.J. Foyt as the only drivers to win the Indianapolis 500 three times.

3. Nigel Mansell (England)

The 1992 Formula One World Champion made the move to IndyCar in 1993 and won the CART Championship Series in his debut season. Mansell won five races in his two seasons in the series, and is the only non-American driver to win the championship.

4. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada)

The 1995 Indy 500 winner and 1995 CART champion, Jacques Villeneuve is one of the most successful Canadian drivers in the history of the sport. He is also the only Canadian driver to win the Indianapolis 500.

5. Jackie Stewart (Scotland)

One of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time, Jackie Stewart also made his mark in IndyCar. He competed in the series from 1969 to 1971, and won three races during that time. He is one of the few drivers to have won both the Formula One World Championship and an IndyCar race.

6. Sebastien Bourdais (France)

A four-time IndyCar champion and three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Sebastien Bourdais is one of the most successful foreign drivers in the history of the sport. He won the Champ Car World Series in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007, and became the first foreign-born driver to win the Indianapolis 500 in 2008.

7. Takuma Sato (Japan)

The 2004 IndyCar champion and 2017 Indianapolis 500 winner, Takuma Sato is one of the most successful Japanese drivers in the history of the sport. He is also the first Japanese driver to win the Indianapolis 500.

8. Alex Zanardi (Italy)

The 1997 and 1998 CART champion, Alex Zanardi is one of the most successful Italian drivers in the history of the sport. He won the 1997 Indianapolis 500, becoming the first foreign driver to do so since Emerson Fittipaldi in 1989.

9. Helio Castroneves (Brazil)

A three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and two-time IndyCar champion, Helio Castroneves is one of the most successful Brazilian drivers in the history of the sport. He is also the only driver to have won the Indianapolis 500 three times.

10. Gil de Ferran (Brazil)

The 2003 IndyCar champion and 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner, Gil de Ferran is one of the most successful Brazilian drivers in the history of the sport. He is also the only Brazilian driver to have won the Indianapolis 500.

As the pinnacle of open wheel racing in the United States, IndyCar has long been home to some of the greatest drivers from around the world. From the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911 to the modern era of the sport, the best non-American drivers have consistently been among the most successful on the track.

In the modern era of IndyCar, Scott Dixon of New Zealand has been the most successful non-American driver in the history of the series. He has won five IndyCar championships, including four consecutive titles from 2003-2006. Dixon is also the current points leader in the championship, and has won two Indianapolis 500s.

Other successful non-American drivers in the modern era of IndyCar include Brazil's Tony Kanaan, who won the 2013 IndyCar championship and the 2004 Indianapolis 500. Frenchman Sebastien Bourdais has also had a successful career in IndyCar, winning four consecutive championships from 2004-2007.

In the early years of the series, some of the best non-American drivers in IndyCar included England's Peter Revson and Scotland's Jim Clark. Revson won the 1973 IndyCar championship and Clark won the 1965 Indianapolis 500. Other successful non-American drivers of the era included Canada's Gilles Villeneuve and Australia's Alan Jones.

Regardless of their nationality, all of these drivers have helped shape the history of IndyCar and have achieved great success in the sport. Their accomplishments will continue to be celebrated for years to come.

IndyCar racing has seen a number of talented drivers from around the world compete at the top level of the sport. While the majority of drivers have been American, there have been some standout non-American drivers who have made a significant impact on the sport.

One of the most successful non-American drivers in IndyCar history is Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi won the Indianapolis 500 in both 1989 and 1993 and was also the IndyCar champion in 1989 and 1994. He was an incredibly popular driver, and his success helped bring attention to IndyCar racing from around the world.

Another successful non-American driver was Frenchman Alain Prost. Prost was an incredibly talented driver and won the IndyCar championship in 1997. He also won the Indianapolis 500 in 1995 and was a runner-up in 1996. Prost’s success in IndyCar helped to show that non-American drivers can compete at the highest level of the sport.

Finally, one of the most successful non-American drivers in recent years has been Australia’s Will Power. Power has won the IndyCar championship in 2014, 2016, and 2018 and is the only non-American driver to have won the championship three times. He has also won the Indianapolis 500 in 2018, making him one of the most successful non-American drivers in IndyCar history.

Overall, non-American drivers have had a significant impact on IndyCar racing. While the majority of drivers have been American, some of the most successful drivers have come from outside the United States. From Emerson Fittipaldi to Will Power, non-American drivers have proved that they can compete at the highest level of the sport.