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IndyCar
INDYCAR: 2012 Season Continues To Take Shape
With the New Year just around the corner, Marshall Pruett updates the known and possible moves in the IZOD IndyCar Series paddock.
Of the 12 drivers pictured, four have confirmed IndyCar rides for 2012, while eight have yet to either solidify or announce their plans. (LAT)
With the new season just around the corner, let’s take an updated look at all of the movement in the IZOD IndyCar Series paddock since this piece was first published in August.
Here’s the latest info based on more calls made throughout the IndyCar paddock, with the findings broken into three primary categories:
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED (Seven Teams)
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Scott Dixon, who was arguably the most impressive front-runner in the latter stages of the championship, will continue a relationship with Ganassi that dates back to the 2003 IndyCar season.
Driver: Dario Franchitti, after earning three championships for Ganassi in as many years, will return for his fourth tour of duty in 2012.
Team: In addition to the drivers, all of the key members of the TCGR team will return next year.
Ganassi Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Graham Rahal, who managed to take ninth in the final standings despite 12 finishes of 10th or worse, will be back as part of a multi-year deal.
Driver: Charlie Kimball, like Dixon, hit his stride late in the championship, and as he recently announced, he’ll be back as part of an extension with his primary sponsor.
Team: In addition to the drivers, all of the key members of the GR team will return for 2012.
Team Penske
Engine Partner: Chevrolet
Driver: Will Power will lead Team Penske’s effort for the third consecutive season.
Driver: Helio Castroneves, the only Team Penske driver to finish outside the top 10 in points in 2011, will be back for an amazing 13th year with The Captain.
Driver: Ryan Briscoe, who rallied to finish sixth in the standings, was recently signed to spend his fifth season within the Team Penske fold.
Team: Power and Castroneves will return with their key personnel in place, while Briscoe, whose engineer is headed to KV Racing, will start the season with someone new on the timing stand.
Update 12/27: Like Ganassi, consistency has been the word for Team Penske from 2011 to 2012, with the appointment of Jonathan Diuguid as Briscoe’s race engineer serving as the biggest change to date.
Panther Racing
Engine Partner: Chevrolet
Driver: JR Hildebrand recently signed a two-year extension and will drive for Panther through at least 2013.
Team: The bulk of Panther’s key personnel will continue with the team next year, although some changes have already taken place amongst its engineering staff.
Rumors & Possibilities: Team owner John Barnes has been on the hunt for a veteran driver to partner and mentor Hildebrand, and says a possible announcement on a second full-time car could come as early as Christmas. Most of North America’s skilled and available open-wheel drivers have been associated with Panther’s second entry.
Justin Wilson, who partnered with Hildebrand for two races in 2010 at Dreyer & Reinbold and was said to be close to joining Panther for 2011, is the most logical fit, although he’s been linked to the majority of the plum drives available in the series.
Update 12/27: Brazil’s Ana Beatriz, who spent her rookie season with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, could be in the frame for a seat at Panther. Bia’s commercial backing and potential certainly make her one of the more interesting options for any team in need of a funded driver. After a somewhat disappointing rookie season, Bia needs to find a program that can help her to prove that 2011 was indeed a fluke.
With the disbanding of Newman/Haas’ IndyCar program, James Hinchcliffe and Oriol Servia are also known to be high on Panther’s list. Panther still hopes to put a veteran alongside Hildebrand to act as a mentor, and if the team can find its own sponsors to do so, it’s not inconceivable for the operation to expand to three cars. A Hinch/Hildebrand combo would be electric, while a Servia/Hildebrand lineup could be just what the doctor ordered.
HVM Racing
Engine Partner: Lotus
Driver: Simona de Silvestro will lead the new HVM-Lotus factory program.
Team: The core group that has long supported the Keith Wiggins-owned team will return for 2012, with likely additions in the engineering department as part of their relationship with the English road car manufacturer. De Silvestro’s car is expected to carry Lotus’ livery.
Rumors & Possibilities: Wiggins continues to be on the lookout for a deal to run a second car, which, provided it’s filled by a proven veteran, is exactly what de Silvestro needs after a tough 2011 season. With Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi revealing he plans to drive for Lotus at next year’s Indy 500, the 47-year-old former grand prix driver is a natural fit with Wiggins, who knows the Frenchman from their time competing against each other in F3000 and F1.
Update 12/27: The team has coveted the services of Sebastien Bourdais for a while now, but with the Peugeot sports car team wanting a signature from the Frenchman on full-time World Endurance Championship contract, time, or the lack thereof, is the biggest concern. Bourdais has been associated with a number of IndyCar teams for 2012, including Dale Coyne Racing, but despite that team owner’s posturing, the four-time Champ Car champion will most likely be racing with a roof over his head next year unless something changes ASAP.
After borrowing veteran engineer Tom Brown from Sarah Fisher Racing at the events SFR skipped in the latter part of the year, HVM has brought Brown on full-time for 2012. Some of de Silvestro’s best performances came with Brown in charge of engineering the car, and with his extensive development experience from years in CART and Champ Car, Wiggins is quietly assembling the supporting cast needed for her to make genuine progress. A second car is also still in the works for HVM.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Simon Pagenaud
Team: Schmidt’s shoestring operation posted several impressive results in 2011, and is expected to feature most of the key personnel who finished out the season.
Rumors & Possibilities: The team forged a successful partnership with Gary Peterson to run his AFS Racing program starting at Mid-Ohio, and it’s likely the SSM/AFS alliance will continue—possibly extending into Indy Lights, as well.
Schmidt believes a second full-time IndyCar entry stands more than a 50 percent chance of happening, with two of its 2011 SSM/AFS drivers (Martin Plowman and Wade Cunningham) said to be vying for portions of the timeshare.
Update 12/27: The team confirmed Pagenaud on December 8th, and based on some of the moves made behind the scenes, the SSM+Pagenaud partnership could be powerful one. Provided all of the sponsorship required to field a proper effort is secured, Schmidt’s 2012 program is taking on a Highcroft-esque feel to it with the addition on Pagenaud’s former Highcroft engineer, Ben Bretzman.
Bretzman (whose brother Eric is Scott Dixon’s engineer at Ganassi) brings a wealth of experience and, most importantly, has extremely close ties with Wirth Research, HPD’s chassis and aerodynamic development solution provider, and HPD itself.
With the Pagenaud/Bretzman/HPD/Wirth partnership already a well-oiled machine, Schmidt has assembled a formidable package to take the fight to the bigger teams. It might not be as high profile as the seats available at Andretti or Rahal, but with Pagenaud and a stellar engineering staff to offer in SSM’s primary car, a second Schmidt entry could be an attractive possibility for a talented and funded driver like Alex Lloyd whose oval experience would complement Pagenaud's road racing skills.
A.J. Foyt Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Mike Conway
Team: A.J. Foyt’s team is expected to look nearly identical next year, opting to remain with one full-time entry, yet will add more engineers. Team Director Larry Foyt says a part-time entry could also be seen in 2012.
Rumors & Possibilities: After parting ways with Vitor Meira, the oval-centric Foyts have been looking for a driver who can deliver results at every type of track as they embrace the road and street course-laden calendar.
The oft-mentioned driving trio of Bourdais/Servia/Wilson has all been in contact with the team, along with a long list of other potential pilots including Long Beach winner Mike Conway and Indy Lights grad James Davison.
Update 12/27: Foyt announced Mike Conway as its driver on 12/20, and Larry Foyt told SPEED.com the team is still deciding whether to build upon its current engineering base or to start from scratch with its new pilot.
Here’s the latest info based on more calls made throughout the IndyCar paddock, with the findings broken into three primary categories:
SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED (Seven Teams)
Target Chip Ganassi Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Scott Dixon, who was arguably the most impressive front-runner in the latter stages of the championship, will continue a relationship with Ganassi that dates back to the 2003 IndyCar season.
Driver: Dario Franchitti, after earning three championships for Ganassi in as many years, will return for his fourth tour of duty in 2012.
Team: In addition to the drivers, all of the key members of the TCGR team will return next year.
Ganassi Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Graham Rahal, who managed to take ninth in the final standings despite 12 finishes of 10th or worse, will be back as part of a multi-year deal.
Driver: Charlie Kimball, like Dixon, hit his stride late in the championship, and as he recently announced, he’ll be back as part of an extension with his primary sponsor.
Team: In addition to the drivers, all of the key members of the GR team will return for 2012.
Team Penske
Engine Partner: Chevrolet
Driver: Will Power will lead Team Penske’s effort for the third consecutive season.
Driver: Helio Castroneves, the only Team Penske driver to finish outside the top 10 in points in 2011, will be back for an amazing 13th year with The Captain.
Driver: Ryan Briscoe, who rallied to finish sixth in the standings, was recently signed to spend his fifth season within the Team Penske fold.
Team: Power and Castroneves will return with their key personnel in place, while Briscoe, whose engineer is headed to KV Racing, will start the season with someone new on the timing stand.
Update 12/27: Like Ganassi, consistency has been the word for Team Penske from 2011 to 2012, with the appointment of Jonathan Diuguid as Briscoe’s race engineer serving as the biggest change to date.
Panther Racing
Engine Partner: Chevrolet
Driver: JR Hildebrand recently signed a two-year extension and will drive for Panther through at least 2013.
Team: The bulk of Panther’s key personnel will continue with the team next year, although some changes have already taken place amongst its engineering staff.
Rumors & Possibilities: Team owner John Barnes has been on the hunt for a veteran driver to partner and mentor Hildebrand, and says a possible announcement on a second full-time car could come as early as Christmas. Most of North America’s skilled and available open-wheel drivers have been associated with Panther’s second entry.
Justin Wilson, who partnered with Hildebrand for two races in 2010 at Dreyer & Reinbold and was said to be close to joining Panther for 2011, is the most logical fit, although he’s been linked to the majority of the plum drives available in the series.
Update 12/27: Brazil’s Ana Beatriz, who spent her rookie season with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing, could be in the frame for a seat at Panther. Bia’s commercial backing and potential certainly make her one of the more interesting options for any team in need of a funded driver. After a somewhat disappointing rookie season, Bia needs to find a program that can help her to prove that 2011 was indeed a fluke.
With the disbanding of Newman/Haas’ IndyCar program, James Hinchcliffe and Oriol Servia are also known to be high on Panther’s list. Panther still hopes to put a veteran alongside Hildebrand to act as a mentor, and if the team can find its own sponsors to do so, it’s not inconceivable for the operation to expand to three cars. A Hinch/Hildebrand combo would be electric, while a Servia/Hildebrand lineup could be just what the doctor ordered.
HVM Racing
Engine Partner: Lotus
Driver: Simona de Silvestro will lead the new HVM-Lotus factory program.
Team: The core group that has long supported the Keith Wiggins-owned team will return for 2012, with likely additions in the engineering department as part of their relationship with the English road car manufacturer. De Silvestro’s car is expected to carry Lotus’ livery.
Rumors & Possibilities: Wiggins continues to be on the lookout for a deal to run a second car, which, provided it’s filled by a proven veteran, is exactly what de Silvestro needs after a tough 2011 season. With Lotus ambassador Jean Alesi revealing he plans to drive for Lotus at next year’s Indy 500, the 47-year-old former grand prix driver is a natural fit with Wiggins, who knows the Frenchman from their time competing against each other in F3000 and F1.
Update 12/27: The team has coveted the services of Sebastien Bourdais for a while now, but with the Peugeot sports car team wanting a signature from the Frenchman on full-time World Endurance Championship contract, time, or the lack thereof, is the biggest concern. Bourdais has been associated with a number of IndyCar teams for 2012, including Dale Coyne Racing, but despite that team owner’s posturing, the four-time Champ Car champion will most likely be racing with a roof over his head next year unless something changes ASAP.
After borrowing veteran engineer Tom Brown from Sarah Fisher Racing at the events SFR skipped in the latter part of the year, HVM has brought Brown on full-time for 2012. Some of de Silvestro’s best performances came with Brown in charge of engineering the car, and with his extensive development experience from years in CART and Champ Car, Wiggins is quietly assembling the supporting cast needed for her to make genuine progress. A second car is also still in the works for HVM.
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Simon Pagenaud
Team: Schmidt’s shoestring operation posted several impressive results in 2011, and is expected to feature most of the key personnel who finished out the season.
Rumors & Possibilities: The team forged a successful partnership with Gary Peterson to run his AFS Racing program starting at Mid-Ohio, and it’s likely the SSM/AFS alliance will continue—possibly extending into Indy Lights, as well.
Schmidt believes a second full-time IndyCar entry stands more than a 50 percent chance of happening, with two of its 2011 SSM/AFS drivers (Martin Plowman and Wade Cunningham) said to be vying for portions of the timeshare.
Update 12/27: The team confirmed Pagenaud on December 8th, and based on some of the moves made behind the scenes, the SSM+Pagenaud partnership could be powerful one. Provided all of the sponsorship required to field a proper effort is secured, Schmidt’s 2012 program is taking on a Highcroft-esque feel to it with the addition on Pagenaud’s former Highcroft engineer, Ben Bretzman.
Bretzman (whose brother Eric is Scott Dixon’s engineer at Ganassi) brings a wealth of experience and, most importantly, has extremely close ties with Wirth Research, HPD’s chassis and aerodynamic development solution provider, and HPD itself.
With the Pagenaud/Bretzman/HPD/Wirth partnership already a well-oiled machine, Schmidt has assembled a formidable package to take the fight to the bigger teams. It might not be as high profile as the seats available at Andretti or Rahal, but with Pagenaud and a stellar engineering staff to offer in SSM’s primary car, a second Schmidt entry could be an attractive possibility for a talented and funded driver like Alex Lloyd whose oval experience would complement Pagenaud's road racing skills.
A.J. Foyt Racing
Engine Partner: Honda
Driver: Mike Conway
Team: A.J. Foyt’s team is expected to look nearly identical next year, opting to remain with one full-time entry, yet will add more engineers. Team Director Larry Foyt says a part-time entry could also be seen in 2012.
Rumors & Possibilities: After parting ways with Vitor Meira, the oval-centric Foyts have been looking for a driver who can deliver results at every type of track as they embrace the road and street course-laden calendar.
The oft-mentioned driving trio of Bourdais/Servia/Wilson has all been in contact with the team, along with a long list of other potential pilots including Long Beach winner Mike Conway and Indy Lights grad James Davison.
Update 12/27: Foyt announced Mike Conway as its driver on 12/20, and Larry Foyt told SPEED.com the team is still deciding whether to build upon its current engineering base or to start from scratch with its new pilot.
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