Indycar drivers for 2023

There is a significantly different look on the calendar that remains made up of 17 events, along with the additional $1 Million Challenge non-points exhibition at The Thermal Club on 24 March. The changes include Texas Motor Speedway being dropped from the schedule, ending an annual trip that dates back to 1997. That loss won’t see a downsize in oval events, though, as the series returns to Milwaukee for the first time since 2015, with the venue hosting a double-header as the penultimate round on Labor Day weekend. “There is such a great tradition and history of IndyCar racing at the Milwaukee Mile, and we are excited to build on that legacy with a Labor Day-weekend NTT IndyCar Series double-header beginning in 2024,” said Roger Penske, chairman of Penske Corporation. “We appreciate all the loyal and passionate IndyCar fans in Milwaukee and across the state of Wisconsin, and thanks to our partnership with the Wisconsin State Fair Park, we can’t wait to return to the Mile next … [Read more...] about IndyCar reveals 2024 schedule as Milwaukee Mile returns

The Florida-born driver joined the team at the start of 2023, his sophomore year in the IndyCar Series, and earned two victories at Long Beach and Nashville, driving the Andretti’s #27 Honda-powered entry. He finished up the year with five additional top 10s, a pole and led 88 laps en route to 11th in the championship standings. “I am thrilled to be able to continue with Andretti Global for years to come,” said Kirkwood. “We have built something special within the team this year and I’m excited to see what we can do next season in the #27 AutoNation Honda. "It’s fantastic that I will now have the opportunity to work with the same group – it’s a luxury I haven’t had the privilege of having since my karting days. "Now we can put our heads down and fully focus on winning races and becoming a strong Championship contender. "I have such a huge respect for this team and it will be an honor to continue to call myself an IndyCar driver for Andretti Global.” Kyle … [Read more...] about IndyCar race winner Kirkwood signs extension with Andretti Global

Le Mans winner Richard Bradley believes Sergio Perez is in his “second big spiral” of the year after a troubled Japanese Grand Prix weekend. Perez suffered contact on the first lap after being squeezed between Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton, which left him requiring a wing change before taking a penalty for overtaking Fernando Alonso under Safety Car conditions. A late lunge on Kevin Magnussen at the hairpin resulted in more contact, more damage and another front wing change – before a retirement, un-retirement as he served another penalty, and then retirement again to cap off a tough weekend. Richard Bradley: Sergio Perez seems ‘completely devoid of confidence again’ With Max Verstappen now on the verge of winning the Drivers’ title in Qatar after easing to victory at Suzuka, Perez holds on to second place in the standings, but is being challenged from behind by Lewis Hamilton. But while both AlphaTauri seats have been confirmed and Perez has his seat secure for 2024, … [Read more...] about Pundit claims Sergio Perez in ‘second big downward spiral’ of 2023 after recent woes

Kyle Kirkwood has secured his place on the IndyCar grid for 2024 and beyond after signing a new multi-year contract with Andretti. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free The team fielded four full-time cars this season but have trimmed their entry to three for 2024. Colton Herta and Kirkwood go into their fifth and second seasons with Andretti respectively, while Marcus Ericsson joins from Chip Ganassi Racing. Kirkwood first raced for Andretti in 2021, when he won the Indy Nxt title with the team. That provided him with a scholarship to step up to IndyCar and he made the move with AJ Foyt Racing. Tenth place in Long Beach was the best result of his rookie season, and just six races into his IndyCar career he was announced as joining Andretti for 2023. The team switch worked well for Kirkwood, as he scored almost twice as many points as he had the year before and won from pole in Long Beach just three races into the campaign. Later in the year he picked up … [Read more...] about Rising IndyCar star Kirkwood signs contract extension with Andretti

The 2024 IndyCar calendar has been announced, with a couple of changes for fans to expect from next season – including the return of a fan-favourite oval. The popular Milwaukee Mile returns to the calendar for two races in 2024, with the Indianapolis 500 set to take its usual late-May slot in its 108th running. The 17-race calendar will see plenty of up-and-coming talent face off against seasoned professionals at that level, as well as familiar faces from the world of Formula 1. IndyCar calendar released for 2024 After the traditional curtain-raiser in St. Petersburg in Florida, a non-points exhibition weekend at The Thermal Club will see drivers compete for a $1 million grand prize, with a tweaked weekend format that is geared up specifically for TV, with an open test and qualifications also taking place at the circuit near Palm Springs, California. As always, the month of May will see IndyCar descend on Indianapolis Motor Speedway, first for a round at its Road Course … [Read more...] about IndyCar 2024 calendar: Where will the ever-popular US series race next year?

Argentina has been under heavy consideration to host IndyCar’s first race outside of North America since Sao Paulo in 2013. Conversations and interest increased after Ricardo Juncos, the Argentine IndyCar team owner, pulled off demonstration runs last November at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo in Santiago del Estero and Autodromo Oscar y Juan Galvez in Buenos Aires. Read Also: IndyCar reveals 2024 schedule as Milwaukee Mile returns Juncos also put fellow countryman and multi-time Argentine touring car champion Agustin Canapino in the car to perform at the exhibition event. Canapino finished his maiden 2023 IndyCar campaign as runner-up for Rookie of the Year in the #78 Juncos Hollinger Racing entry. Considering the schedule has already been revealed with 17 points race and a season finale on the Streets of Nashville on 15 September, the addition of Argentina after the season concludes would likely mean a non-points event. It would be the second non-points event … [Read more...] about Argentina race could still be added to 2024 IndyCar schedule

World Endurance Championship title holder and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Ryo Hirakawa has joined McLaren’s driver development programme. Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free Hirakawa will serve as one of the team’s reserve drivers in Formula 1 this year. His signing comes after IndyCar champion Alex Palou cut his ties with the team and chose to remain with Ganassi in the US series. McLaren confirmed Hirakawa will continue to drive for Toyota in WEC, where he leads the championship he won last year with his team mates Brendon Hartley and Sebastien Buemi. The 29-year-old is also in his sixth season of racing in Japan’s Super Formula series, where he currently races against drivers including AlphaTauri racer Liam Lawson . Hirakawa has won four races in the series and has a best championship position of second. McLaren has not indicated whether it plans to run Hirakawa in practice sessions, though his lack of F1 experience means doing so would count towards … [Read more...] about McLaren signs WEC champion and Le Mans winner Hirakawa as F1 reserve driver

After their plans for Alex Palou came to naught, McLaren have announced a new reserve driver for the 2024 season in Ryo Hirakawa. Last season McLaren signed Palou for the 2024 season with the Spaniard expected to race for the team in IndyCar while dovetailing that with Formula 1 reserve driver duties. However, a breakdown in the relationship means McLaren and Palou will next meet in court with McLaren seeking to recoup between $20 million and $30 million in damages stemming from Palou reneging on his McLaren contract. McLaren’s 2024 driver line is officially complete His departure from McLaren’s programme has opened for the door for 29-year-old Hirakawa, who’ll join the team for the 2024 championship. Fresh from re-signing Oscar Piastri , McLaren’s full line-up is now confirmed in their two race drivers, Piastri and Lando Norris, and their reserve driver, Hirakawa. Having spent much of his career in Super Formula and Super GT career, Hirakawa won the 2022 24 Hours of … [Read more...] about McLaren confirm surprise F1 2024 reserve driver plans after Alex Palou’s exit

Hirakawa will become part of McLaren's driver development programme, supporting the Woking team in its simulator as well as conducting a testing programme with its 2021 MCL35M car. The 29-year-old will dovetail his F1 testing role with his current drive for Toyota, with which he is currently leading the Hypercar class in the World Endurance Championship. Hirakawa and his team-mates Sebastien Buemi and Brendon Hartley are the reigning champions too, having won both the overall title and the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2022. “I’m happy to have joined the McLaren F1 team as a reserve driver," Hirakawa said on the margins of this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. "It’s an exciting prospect to work with such a respected team and I’m grateful to Zak [Brown] and Andrea [Stella] for the opportunity. "I’ve already met the team and experienced the simulator at MTC which has allowed me to hit the ground running. I’m now fully prepared and focused for the remainder of 2023. "I am grateful … [Read more...] about McLaren signs Le Mans winner Hirakawa as F1 reserve driver