It’s been a whirlwind IndyCar foolish season, and whereas we’re down for a couple of weeks with the Olympic break, it’s price operating by means of the newest state of affairs to make amends for which groups are stable for 2025, which packages are in transition, and the place a number of the unending rumors fall on the dimensions of true or false. (A touch: most are lifeless flawed.)
A.J. FOYT RACING
Group chief Larry Foyt informed us in our final replace that each seats can be found and talks of constant with Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb had been happening. That replace additionally occurred earlier than Ferrucci moved the No. 14 Chevy into the highest 10 within the championship, which is a giant deal for the staff in its first full season of the technical alliance it solid with Group Penske.
Conserving Ferrucci, who ought to be commanding extra curiosity from different groups, is a no brainer. He’s additionally been vocal in wanting to remain. Robb has been higher in his second season, which isn’t a shock, however he’s additionally ranked final within the standings among the many 21 drivers who’ve contested each race. The staff continues to want a big infusion of money, so if Robb is ready to produce one other sizable sponsorship package deal, and shortly, I’d count on him to return.
With the Penske relationship in thoughts, the arrival of a equally funded, however sooner driver would give Robb competitors to retain the No. 41 automotive. Utilizing Ferrucci’s tempo and leads to the No. 14 as a information, the for-hire No. 41 ought to appeal to funded drivers earlier than a number of the different seats that may be acquired.
Along with his sophomore enhancements to think about, Robb has been sooner and extra constant, but it surely’s been modest in turning final yr’s 20ths at Dale Coyne into 17ths or so at Foyt. Higher, however not sufficient to forestall the staff from seeing if another person with cash is on the market who may run nearer to Ferrucci.
Look to the final 4 race weekends as a chance for Robb to indicate to deserves to maintain the seat.
ANDRETTI GLOBAL
Andretti International is ready with its three drivers. Colton Herta, Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson are signed by means of no less than 2025. However there’s extra to discover.
There’s been an ongoing rumor involving Andretti leaving Honda, its engine provider since 2014, for Chevy, which powered the staff to its final IndyCar championship in 2012. This may be executed to align with Common Motors’ engine provide in Andretti’s desired Method 1 staff and WTRAndretti’s transfer from fielding Acura’s manufacturing facility IMSA GTP program to operating GM’s manufacturing facility Cadillac GTP effort in 2025.
I’ve been informed the staff’s IndyCar contract with Honda goes by means of 2025, which might be the primary subject to think about within the supposed change. Chevy, which has a very full provide roster for 2025 after signing PREMA — which is utilizing the final two full-season leases it needed to provide — is the second subject.
If Andretti had been to purchase its means out of its Honda contract, that will nonetheless depart Chevy with legitimate provide contracts with A.J. Foyt Racing, Arrow McLaren, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, PREMA and Group Penske, and a necessity to supply three new full-season motor packages to Andretti that don’t exist.
Engine contracts may come into play. Michael Levitt/Motorsport Pictures
I do know driver contracts are nearly nugatory in IndyCar, however that’s not the case with contracts between main automotive corporations and racing groups. Chevy isn’t calling to interrupt up with Foyt, Carpenter, or anybody else with an enforceable contract to onboard Andretti, and people are two-car groups. The one three-car groups to suit the Andretti want are Arrow McLaren and Group Penske, its two greatest squads, and I’m assured saying Zak Brown and Roger Penske aren’t about to be ghosted by the bowtie.
I requested Andretti COO Rob Edwards in regards to the leaving-for-Chevy rumor, and right here’s what he informed RACER: “I believe that’s a preferred query due to the entire F1 conversations, however no, now we have a Honda settlement. We’re very glad working with Honda. Been an incredible partnership. There are not any plans in anyway to make a change.”
All the pieces I’ve listed right here includes no change for 2025. Whether or not a change would possibly occur after Andretti’s Honda contract is accomplished main into 2026 is a completely completely different matter.
One other rumor I’ve been listening to over the past 4 to 6 weeks is said to Andretti’s Indy NXT program and the opportunity of fielding an IndyCar entry for its NXT race winner Jamie Chadwick, who will get her first IndyCar run with Andretti in September.
Particularly, and with the IndyCar staff’s intentional shrinking from 4 entries to a few for 2024 to enhance its efficiency, I’ve heard discussions have been held about placing collectively a satellite tv for pc program for Chadwick as early as 2025, however extra seemingly for 2026, to be run by Bryan Herta Autosport. This may hold Andretti’s three-car operation intact underneath the primary tent whereas holding onto a prized expertise by means of a trusted accomplice with Herta underneath BHA’s tent.
To that, Edwards stated, “Plenty of issues getting talked about proper now. The main focus is on the three automobiles. It’s positively been a step in the proper course this yr, hasn’t it?”
