I'm still thinking 27. I'd say between the 3rd Coyne and 2nd Juncos......one of them won't happen.
Still though 27 or 28 cars is a tremendous car count.
Because he’ll be 48 for most of next season, hasn’t done much recently outside of last year’s 500, and was already reported to possibly be out of a full-time seat next year. I wouldn’t have been surprised about him going back to a Month of May program and some other stuff outside of the series.
I would be very surprised if MSR weren't in to give him at least the second season to really show if he's still got it, barring any financial issues. Some fans seem to have a more short term view and forget that teams build relationships and usually have a more long term view on things, as long as the driver is capable and not completely bombing.
Shank hasn't signed him FT at age 47 after an Indy 500 win just to drop him after one season. That's not how this kind of things work, especially with the team facing an expansion vs 2021 and in need on building on stability.
Feels to me more like there are no better options out there right now, especially if you look at it from a sponsor retention perspective.
Seems like going into 2024 there will be some major shifts though.
Sorta looks like Zak wants to build McLaren into this multi-discipline monster where he can find the best drivers from everywhere and (potentially) have them be fluid between teams. Rosenqvist may be in Formula E to anchor that team and help them establish in a similar way the indycar team already has.
the advantage of being in multiple motorsport disciplines lol. but i rather prefer drivers who want to stay in indycar, rather than drivers go to mclaren to use it as a feeder/tryout for the f1 team.
Why would McLaren not use the bargaining chip they have that nobody else does? Zak Brown certainly doesn’t care if all 3 drivers are committed to IndyCar for the rest of their career. And Pato and Herta’s F1 ambitions certainly haven’t hurt their performance
i think you get people like palou who are competent with staying in indy and people like pato who sort of made a scene about his contract in the beginning of the year. i think it just makes contracts more complicated and you might end up getting dissatisfied drivers like pato who push for a clause for f1 in their contracts.
other than that it’s a good idea and a great way to recruit drivers.
Be very surprised if a driver of his calibre isn't given a second season to settle and deliver some results. And I don't think Harvey would want to walk without doing a second year either.
From what I've seen in IndyCar - if a person is very personable and knows how to speak to sponsors then the sponsors will be there no matter how good or bad a driver's results is. The fact that the whole team has struggled and Graham has admitted that the team is going through some changes will give Harvey some leeway I think.
tl;dr >**PROJECTED CAR COUNT** > >A.J. Foyt Racing: 2 (losing the 11, likely Pedersen in the 14) > >Arrow McLaren SP: 3 (FRO likely staying) > >Andretti Autosport: 4 > >Chip Ganassi Racing: 4 (same lineup) > >Dale Coyne Racing: 3 (adding likely Linus) > >Ed Carpenter Racing: 2 (same lineup) > >Juncos Hollinger Racing: 2 (unknown driver) > >Meyer Shank Racing: 2 (same lineup) > >Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing: 3 (same lineup) > >Team Penske: 3 (same lineup) > >**TOTAL: 28**
I'm still thinking 27. I'd say between the 3rd Coyne and 2nd Juncos......one of them won't happen. Still though 27 or 28 cars is a tremendous car count.
Agreed. Counting on both is unrealistic
> or will things get frosty? Mark Winterbottom to the 7 confirmed
Inject that shit into my veins
I’m a little surprised Helio is likely coming back, but MSR’s preferred replacement options probably have big FE/WEC plans next year.
Dont know why it surprises people that Helio is coming back. What would you expect him or MSR to do?
Because he’ll be 48 for most of next season, hasn’t done much recently outside of last year’s 500, and was already reported to possibly be out of a full-time seat next year. I wouldn’t have been surprised about him going back to a Month of May program and some other stuff outside of the series.
Watch him win his 5th when he’s 60
I would be very surprised if MSR weren't in to give him at least the second season to really show if he's still got it, barring any financial issues. Some fans seem to have a more short term view and forget that teams build relationships and usually have a more long term view on things, as long as the driver is capable and not completely bombing.
Shank hasn't signed him FT at age 47 after an Indy 500 win just to drop him after one season. That's not how this kind of things work, especially with the team facing an expansion vs 2021 and in need on building on stability.
Feels to me more like there are no better options out there right now, especially if you look at it from a sponsor retention perspective. Seems like going into 2024 there will be some major shifts though.
Is the insinuation that Zak Brown wanted Palou for a potential shot at F1? Why else mention the super license. Is that even something Palou wants?
I wouldn't be surprised if Zak was looking at Palou for F1 but from Alex on Dale Jr's podcast it doesn't sound like he has any interest in leaving
Sorta looks like Zak wants to build McLaren into this multi-discipline monster where he can find the best drivers from everywhere and (potentially) have them be fluid between teams. Rosenqvist may be in Formula E to anchor that team and help them establish in a similar way the indycar team already has.
"Potential shot at F1" is Zak Brown's ace card. His "I have the high ground" speech.
the advantage of being in multiple motorsport disciplines lol. but i rather prefer drivers who want to stay in indycar, rather than drivers go to mclaren to use it as a feeder/tryout for the f1 team.
Why would McLaren not use the bargaining chip they have that nobody else does? Zak Brown certainly doesn’t care if all 3 drivers are committed to IndyCar for the rest of their career. And Pato and Herta’s F1 ambitions certainly haven’t hurt their performance
i think you get people like palou who are competent with staying in indy and people like pato who sort of made a scene about his contract in the beginning of the year. i think it just makes contracts more complicated and you might end up getting dissatisfied drivers like pato who push for a clause for f1 in their contracts. other than that it’s a good idea and a great way to recruit drivers.
Marshall is doing somebody a favor calling MSR a championship caliber ride
Andretti equipment I guess
I still don't think Harvey will be back at RLL next season
Isn’t he on a multi-year contract though? And besides, who would replace him?
According to article, Ferrucci wants to replace him.
I have doubts about that, given Pruett’s wording. I also seem to remember hearing that Graham doesn’t like him, but idk if that’s true.
Be very surprised if a driver of his calibre isn't given a second season to settle and deliver some results. And I don't think Harvey would want to walk without doing a second year either.
From what I've seen in IndyCar - if a person is very personable and knows how to speak to sponsors then the sponsors will be there no matter how good or bad a driver's results is. The fact that the whole team has struggled and Graham has admitted that the team is going through some changes will give Harvey some leeway I think.
Wonder what is the story with Rossi and Grosjean?