2023 NTT Indycar series - News, rumours and circlework

[John]

Bottom post of the previous page:

DdF is getting the axe for sure. But we still don't know what happens to Grosjean.

[Everso Biggyballies]

I would assume DeFrancesco is the one getting replaced?

Or RoGro?


Edit: posted before reading Johns post with further inf on De Francesco

[John]

I wouldn't be surprised if they're both heading out the door, to be honest...

DHL is rumored to move over to CGR for next year, but AA has never had any issues attracting sponsors so I don't foresee that being a huge issue for them.

[MonteCristo]

Speaking in the immediate aftermath of the announcement that Andretti had signed 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner Ericsson, who moves from Chip Ganassi Racing, Malukas was insistent that it doesn’t change anything for his future plans.

When asked by Autosport if it narrowed his options in any way, Malukas replied: “His move doesn't really affect anything from my side but obviously it's good for him. From my end, it doesn't really affect anything.”

Malukas, 21, has already confirmed that he won’t stay at Dale Coyne Racing for 2024 as he reaches the end of a two-year deal between the veteran team and his father, trucking magnate Henry Malukas.

In the meantime, his family’s HMD squad has become one of the biggest teams in the Indy NXT series, and it has hinted at moving up into IndyCars in future.

Malukas Jr is confident he’ll be on the grid next year regardless, and said he has no concerns about his future in the series.

“From my side, I’m 100% confident,” he said. “I don't have any anxiety or any of that stuff. I think our next year is looking very strong, and yeah, it looks very good.

“I don't know much about what I can say here or there, but all I can say is it looks very good.”

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/motorsp ... 257e5&ei=6

Hmm. You'd assume it would be a move up. Which would be something like ... RoGro's seat...?

[John]

or the #6?

[Everso Biggyballies]

RoGro has the driving and development gig with the Hypercar Lambo programme locked in for 2024. Is that a full time gig or just part time in term of hours taken u?
presume being IMSA and WEC it will have a number of clashes with Indycar, but not sure if Ro is is for all IMSA as well as WEC.

[John]

Lambo is fulltime but from what I've read so far, Indycar comes first when they're clashing.

[MonteCristo]

Pruett silly season update: https://racer.com/2023/08/26/indycar-si ... aux-palou/

Nothing huge but...

Still thinks RoGro out, Ericsson in. Yet, thinks that RoGro will still be racing Indycar...

You'll laugh at this though:

On the last Andretti topic, it will be interesting to see where the team decides to go with its fourth entry and whether it will move forward with a new driver or be parked in favor of running a tighter three-car operation. Of the drivers said to be under consideration for the fourth, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Tatiana Calderon’s name mentioned.

DeFrancesco has options to stick around.

And The People's Sting Ray (Robb) has money. I assume he passed the plate around.

[John]

Tom B in the 60 for Portland and Laguna Seca.

Makes sense on all fronts + it allows Linus to keep his ROTY eligibility for 2024, which also gives him an extra set of tyres every week.

[Everso Biggyballies]

Thanks for that info. Hadnt realised the ROTY angle or the rubber benefits.

[John]

Thanks for that info. Hadnt realised the ROTY angle or the rubber benefits.

The limit is no more than four races this year so Linus could technically run one more, but with a CGR contract in the works or potentially signed there's no point in doing so. This will also cap Tom at three race starts so he'll have the full benefits as well next year.

Potentially RLL might try to bring him in as Harvey's former machine needs the leaders circle points as well.

Edit: Never mind, Juri Vips confirmed in the 30 for the rest of the season!

[Everso Biggyballies]

So whats the championship position after: Doug Dimmadome of the Donsadale Dimmadome or something 500....

1. Álex Palou (Ganassi Honda), 565 pts
2. Scott Dixon (Ganassi Honda), 491 (-74)
3. Josef Newgarden (Penske Chevrolet), 440 (-125)
4. Pato O'Ward (McLaren Chevrolet), 429
5. Scott McLaughlin (Penske Chevrolet), 426
6. Marcus Ericsson (Ganassi Honda), 397
7. Will Power (Penske Chevrolet), 388
8. Christian Lundgaard (Rahal Chevrolet), 343
9. Alexander Rossi (McLaren Chevrolet), 339
10. Colton Herta (Andretti Honda), 331

[Everso Biggyballies]

Ganassi confirms Lundqvist for 2024 IndyCar season

Linus Lundqvist is joining Chip Ganassi Racing as an NTT IndyCar Series driver starting in 2024.

“It’s terrific that the opportunity to hire Linus, a proven winner, plus the reigning 2022 Indy NXT champion is now a reality at Chip Ganassi Racing,” said CGR managing director Mike Hull. “He has shown that his on-track performance creates the racecraft separation that’s required in IndyCar today. Growing together with Linus is what comes next.”

Lundqvist stormed to win last year’s Indy NXT (then known as Indy Lights) championship but was unable to secure a full-season ride in IndyCar. Meyer Shank Racing signed the 24-year-old to a three-race run in the No. 60 Honda from Nashville through World Wide Technology Raceway, where he outperformed teammate Helio Castroneves, set two fastest race laps, and drew the interest of CGR with each outing.

“Joining Chip Ganassi Racing is an absolute dream come true for me,” Lundqvist said. “Stepping up to race full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series, and to do so with one of the most successful teams in the history of the championship, is the moment I’ve been working for throughout my career. It is hard to explain how much this means to me. I am incredibly grateful to Chip, Mike and to everyone who has backed me on this journey, including of course my family.”

The Swede will join the team this weekend at Portland and next weekend in Monterey to take part in engineering debriefs and prepare to race for the team after signing a multi-year contract to replace his outgoing countryman Marcus Ericsson, who is departing for Andretti Autosport.

.https://racer.com/2023/08/31/lundqvist- ... ar-season/

Is he getting a cheque though. Wasnt the lack of that what made Marcus move on?

[John]

HOMETOWN LAD SIGNED LET'S GO

[Everso Biggyballies]

HOMETOWN LAD SIGNED LET'S GO

Hehehe I forgot to add in my post that someone here will be happy...... just came back to edit post to reflect same, but no need now!

[MonteCristo]

Good on him.

He's been rather impressive for the races he's had this season.