Indycar: Franchitti has ‘desire’ to hang on to his title

DARIO Franchitti is bidding to win his third consecutive IndyCar season title this weekend. The Scot is 18 points clear of Will Power ahead of tomorrow’s 200-lap finale in Las Vegas.

Franchitti and Power were also involved in a winner-takes-all encounter at the end of last season. The 38-year-old from Bathgate overhauled the Australian to claim his fourth title in five years and is confident of making it five in six years.

“The most important thing you can have is a desire to win,” Franchitti said. “My drive to be successful is as strong as it ever.”

The late Jim Clark won two Formula 1 championships, while Sir Jackie Stewart landed three but Franchitti is quick to dismiss the notion that his achievements in the United States could eclipse those of his fellow Scots.

“If I won another ten championships, I would still feel very much in the shadow of Jim Clark and Jackie Stewart. They were on a different level. Formula 1 is the pinnacle of our sport.

“I would also put [former world rally champion] Colin McRae in their company – they are three of the greatest drivers the world has ever produced.”