Given the Opportunity, NASCAR Star Daniel Suarez Would Pass on F1

Daniel Suarez is no stranger to Formula One or its politics. He is friends with Esteban Gutierrez and Checo Perez, his fiancé is three-time Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet’s daughter Julia, and her sister Kelly dates Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen.

When Suarez was choosing his career path, he looked at open wheel and NASCAR. He was advised to take the NASCAR route because of the opportunity that existed for a Latino driver. It’s a decision Suarez doesn’t regret.

“The reason why I never second guessed it is because I really wanted to be the first in NASCAR,” Suarez says.

Suarez describes Formula 1 as “amazing” but doesn’t like the politics that exists in that form of racing.

“There is always politics in sports, some more than others,” Suarez says. “Here in NASCAR, there is also politics, but in Formula 1 it is a different world. It is a little bit tricky.”

Suarez believes that with Trackhouse Racing and NASCAR he is where he belongs.

“I feel like it was meant to be me … to bring the Latino community more close to NASCAR and be successful here,” Suarez says.

If given the opportunity to go to Formula 1, Suarez said “I don’t think I would take it.”

“I would like to try it just because I’m a very curious guy,” Suarez says. “I am, right now, where I am supposed to be.”