From my experience games are more exciting if the players bond with the drivers or are drivers themselves in a particular game.
I dont think many people know that many drivers of Indy in 1911 onwards.
It might be a good aolution to make a testrun of your game with recent drivers do we can get a feeling for your game.
Also you wouldnt have as much pressure on yourself. You can optimise your game. You get feedback. Its your first game modrating here aswell.
Time management has been the crucial point for others aswell. Some had the motivation to manage a game, but over a longer period of time they couldnt keep up so updates delayed and more and more people lost interest.
Be aware of that.
As i said, my recommendation is to do a test run with no pressure. In the meantime you still can compete here. After some optimisation you can open your final game and we have some fun. I mean, you are a relatively new and (probably) young member.
I am concerned that you will give yourself a task that is too big for you.
But thats just my opinion, do what you think is best.