"A shame": Will Buxton reacts to F1 clashing with IndyCar with 2026 Indy 500-Canadian GP face-off

Will Buxton recently switched over to IndyCar but closely follows the F1 landscape on how it's shaping up on the European front. With the global open-wheel racing series releasing its 2026 racing calendar, the 44-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) and shared how the fixture had an unfortunate clash with the Indy 500 and the Canadian GP.

The British presenter worked in all things F1 for over two decades. Though his switch to IndyCar is a pretty new one in such a time frame, Buxton quickly got to know about the importance of the Indy 500 as he became the voice of the race on his first visit to the fabled event.

However, the Indy 500's schedule has often collided with the Monaco Grand Prix in recent years. Though this was rectified in the 2026 racing calendar, the race held in the principality was replaced by the Canadian GP.

This meant that the two series would continue to clash for an audience. Reflecting on it, Will Buxton wrote on X:

"Solid F1 calendar for 26 but a shame the Monaco / 500 clash has become a Canada / 500 clash. Know a heap of F1 folks who, aware the Monaco clash was being removed, were hoping to back an Indy 500 visit onto attending the CanadianGP next year, but that’ll have to wait."

The former F1 presenter is now the voice of IndyCar alongside Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe.

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Will Buxton revealed how leaving F1 behind left him filled with fear ahead of his IndyCar move

Will Buxton at the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Since joining the IndyCar sphere, Will Buxton has been one of the star figures of the paddock. His stature among fans has witnessed a rise as his move away from F1 has seemingly worked the way he would have hoped.

But, stepping away from a sport that one loves is not easy. It was the same case for Buxton, who had to account for the opportunity cost of choosing IndyCar. Reflecting on it, the 44-year-old said (via Inc.):

"The initial feeling is one of immense trepidation and fear, complete fear, because you’re leaving behind everything you know and have done. The relationships built over 25 years. The knowledge base you have. The people you know you can trust, and who know they can trust you."

"So it’s absolute fear, but also total excitement—and excitement to the tune of being able to have a second career, to look back on the 25 years with pride, and to learn from mistakes I made in my formative years."

On the racing side of things, IndyCar has witnessed one of the most dominant starts to a season by a driver. Alex Palou has won five of the seven races held so far, with Kyle Kirkwood collecting the leftovers.