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Chip Ganassi joins Vincenzo Landino and Lali Michelsen as our special guest to discuss Scott Dixon’s move to Arrow McLaren after 24 seasons with Ganassi, and Christian Lundgaard taking his place for 2027. Ganassi talks about Lundgaard, team dynamics, and how he manages drivers who are free to race each other.
The episode also examines how racing attracts and retains fans. Vincenzo shares takeaways from his conversation with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and Apple’s Eddie Cue, including how they first discovered Formula 1 and how broadcast choices can introduce the sport to new audiences. Later, the hosts get into MotoGP’s commercial growth, McLaren’s cross-series sponsorship appeal, Haas’s budget constraints, Esteban Ocon’s next move, and what fan and ticket numbers reveal about demand.
In this episode
04:30 | Stefano Domenicali, Eddie Cue and the paths into F1
Cue discovered Formula 1 through an AutoWeek magazine in a Miami library. Domenicali grew up near Imola. Their different beginnings lead to a discussion about the Apple partnership, emotional connection to sport, and how fans enter the F1 audience.
13:10 | Celebrity, cameras and fan discovery
The hosts discuss Eddie Cue’s account of arranging a camera moment with Kim Kardashian at a race. The question is whether those moments help someone find the sport, and what gives a new fan a reason to stay.
18:15 | An unsettled F1 calendar
The discussion turns to uncertainty around Imola, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, including the challenges the scheduling and logistics teams face while waiting for a decision.
22:17 | IndyCar’s driver market
The hosts discuss Scott Dixon’s departure from Ganassi, Christian Lundgaard’s move to the team, and Connor Daly’s full-time ride.
26:24 | Chip Ganassi on the 2027 lineup
Ganassi joins to talk about Dixon, Lundgaard, contract timing, and how his drivers compete as teammates. INDYCAR confirmed Lundgaard’s signing and Dixon’s move to Arrow McLaren for 2027.
43:05 | Talent, timing and open seats
After Ganassi leaves, Lali and Vincenzo discuss the long road to top-level racing. Talent matters, but so do funding, timing, and seat availability.
49:40 | MotoGP’s commercial buildout
The hosts look at MotoGP’s expanding commercial operation under Liberty Media and what Formula 1’s growth could teach the series.
55:01 | McLaren’s sponsor appeal, and Haas’s challenge
Edward Jones’s presence across McLaren’s F1 and IndyCar programs prompts a discussion about cross-series partnerships and hospitality. The hosts contrast that opportunity with Haas’s effort to bring in enough partners to use more of its cost-cap budget.
1:06:20 | Esteban Ocon’s departure from Haas
Lali and Vincenzo consider Ocon’s career options, the competition for F1 seats, and the possibility of a move into another racing program.
1:13:04 | F1’s fanbase and ticket demand
The hosts discuss Domenicali’s billion-fan claim, what a global fanbase figure measures, race attendance and rising ticket prices.
1:20:05 | Australia’s calendar place and race times
The episode closes with Australia losing its 2027 season opener and a conversation about the appeal of early-morning races.
