NTT IndyCar Series owner Roger Penske says the quest to sign a new engine partner is focused on Ferrari, and Ferrari alone, as talks continue with Scuderia Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto to have the manufacturer join the series when its 2.4-liter twin-turbo hybrid V6 engine formula arrives in 2022
“Our focus has been on Ferrari,” Penske confirmed. “I’ve been in contact with them directly, with Mattia Binotto in the last few days, answering questions. They’re taking a very serious look at this opportunity. It’s an area they haven’t competed in before as a team.
“This is their biggest market worldwide from the standpoint of the brand, but I think it could be a real opportunity for them. Also, it would be a start of bringing them into the IndyCar series. I think it’s only fair to work on one at a time.”
Through Penske’s longstanding ties with General Motors, Chevrolet returned to IndyCar competition in 2012 with Ilmor Engineering, the specialist racing engine constructor co-founded by Mario Illien, Paul Morgan and Penske. Honda, through its Honda Performance Development racing division, has maintained a consistent presence in IndyCar since joining the CART IndyCar Series in 1994. Both brands share the current engine supply needs for the series, and while IndyCar is hopeful to sign the pair to new agreements for 2022 and beyond, the need to add a third engine partner remains.
“I want to take this one all the way and see where we end up, but there’s been lots of dialogue (from Ferrari) with the IndyCar people,” Penske added. “They’ve made a trip to Dallara, so this is not an idle discussion. Now, do we have an answer yet? The answer is no, but I’ve got this one on the front of my calendar every day.”
Poll thrown in for fun.
Oscar Piastri in F1! Catch the fever! Vettel Hate Club. Life membership.
Ferrari should put their money into getting an F1 car that can finish in the Top 10. Although now they don't have to waste their money on a faltering ex-champion.....
PTRACER wrote: ↑3 years ago
Ferrari should put their money into getting an F1 car that can finish in the Top 10. Although now they don't have to waste their money on a faltering ex-champion.....
Those were the days my friends, we thought they'd never end.....
PTRACER wrote: ↑3 years ago
Ferrari should put their money into getting an F1 car that can finish in the Top 10. Although now they don't have to waste their money on a faltering ex-champion.....
Faltering ex-worldchampions are not new to Ferrari: Jody Scheckter, Alain Prost. They all had to cope with a car that did not want to do, for what it was designed for: racing. Going fast.
Vettel gets a lot of bashing. And indeed he had lesser results than Alonso had in his years in Ferrari. But please, look at the team too. I want to see how motivated Leclerc will be in 3 - 4 years when they can not give him a decent car in which he can fight for the title.
Brian Redman: "Mr. Fangio, how do you come so fast?" "More throttle, less brakes...."
erwin greven wrote: ↑3 years ago
I want to see how motivated Leclerc will be in 3 - 4 years when they can not give him a decent car in which he can fight for the title.
Very good point.
He's currently young, still learning, keen to impress - and most importantly, is impressing. He doesn't *need* to win right now. But after another year or two of that and thinking he should be winning races if not titles - assuming Ferrari continues to go backwards he'll either get itchy feet and leave or his performance will suffer.
It's not a greatly different situation to Vettel who knows he can win if he has the equipment - but he doesn't.
...
Still, I'd love to see Ferrari in Indycar. If only to see them to get beaten by Chevy .
Oscar Piastri in F1! Catch the fever! Vettel Hate Club. Life membership.
MonteCristo wrote: ↑3 years ago
Sooo... Will this rumour totally die with Ferrari signing up to the new Concorde Agreement?
Was it ever more than clickbait in a time of limited motor sport news beyond an update of cancelled events, journalists cramped for things to write about? Dont let the truth get in the way of a good story etc.
* I started life with nothing, and still have most of it left
“Good drivers have dead flies on the side windows!” (Walter Röhrl)
* I married Miss Right. Just didn't know her first name was Always
MonteCristo wrote: ↑3 years ago
Sooo... Will this rumour totally die with Ferrari signing up to the new Concorde Agreement?
Was it ever more than clickbait in a time of limited motor sport news beyond an update of cancelled events, journalists cramped for things to write about? Dont let the truth get in the way of a good story etc.
welp... it was more about that Ferrari didn't want to let go any of its staff, don't think the Concorde fixed that issue. Don't underestimate Roger Penske about this just yet.
***Some say you should live each day like it was your last... but who wants to live each day in wild panic and extreme death anxiety?
The universe, look at the hugeness of it... it is a dizzying thought that little ol' me is the centre of it all!***
MonteCristo wrote: ↑3 years ago
Sooo... Will this rumour totally die with Ferrari signing up to the new Concorde Agreement?
Was it ever more than clickbait in a time of limited motor sport news beyond an update of cancelled events, journalists cramped for things to write about? Dont let the truth get in the way of a good story etc.
welp... it was more about that Ferrari didn't want to let go any of its staff, don't think the Concorde fixed that issue. Don't underestimate Roger Penske about this just yet.
Indeed. Ferrari with it's current structure is still way over the budget cap. It's either laying off staff or finding another series for them to work with.
John wrote: ↑3 years ago
Indeed. Ferrari with it's current structure is still way over the budget cap. It's either laying off staff or finding another series for them to work with.
But with the way the world currently is, you're not going to retain staff for no reason. Indycar has to make financial sense.
Ferrari has a limit to its production numbers. It would make more sense for them to badge Alfa's or something.
Oscar Piastri in F1! Catch the fever! Vettel Hate Club. Life membership.
MonteCristo wrote: ↑3 years ago
Sooo... Will this rumour totally die with Ferrari signing up to the new Concorde Agreement?
Was it ever more than clickbait in a time of limited motor sport news beyond an update of cancelled events, journalists cramped for things to write about? Dont let the truth get in the way of a good story etc.
welp... it was more about that Ferrari didn't want to let go any of its staff, don't think the Concorde fixed that issue. Don't underestimate Roger Penske about this just yet.
May I ask....how was Ferrari to get it's ball rolling in the same season to save it's staff? That, I would like to see.
Those were the days my friends, we thought they'd never end.....
John wrote: ↑3 years ago
Indeed. Ferrari with it's current structure is still way over the budget cap. It's either laying off staff or finding another series for them to work with.
But with the way the world currently is, you're not going to retain staff for no reason. Indycar has to make financial sense.
Ferrari has a limit to its production numbers. It would make more sense for them to badge Alfa's or something.
Don't you come here spitting facts and logic.
That said, the North American market matters for Ferrari. If it makes sense from a business stand point and depending on the shape of the company itself these days, I would love to see it happen.