INDY 500: Bump Day goes Thud!

Fernando Alonso’s name atop IMS Scoring pylon. (The Tomaso Collection)

 

Fernando Who!

 

Was gonna scribble about my waning desire to continue following Formula 1 via television today, but I’ll let that simmer a little longer…

 

Nope, like many, this year’s lack of Bumping at Mother Speedway’s upon my mind. As I could go thru what’s already been covered extensively over the recent lack of entries since 2020. Or going back even further to 2016, when the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 only had 33 entries, reportedly…

 

While we all know about Colton Herta’s fourth Andretti Global entry being scrubbed due to Formula One’s brilliant idea to race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve the same day, Spew!

 

It seemingly comes down to the financial plight of the current economy. Although there are reportedly drivers with the necessary budget for a “One-off” entry at Mother Speedway.

 

While I’m not a fan of Honda’s unwillingness to grant its fourth Andretti Global engine lease to an Indy only entry. And I’m not sure how it helps them publicly? But perhaps due to Honda having just suffered its first ever earnings loss since the 1970’s, Honda’s suddenly pinching pennies?

 

And what about all of the Young Guns wishing to race in IndyCar these days? With the likes of Linus Lundqvist, Hunter McElrae, Toby sowery, Juri Vips and others. Not to mention Callum Ilott, Katherine Legge, Stefan Wilson and Devlin DeFrancesco for starters…

 

Nope, the saddest part of all is that we as Fans live by the credo of it being the fastest 33 Cars in the field and revel over the uncertainty of somebody going “Home” utterly disappointed. Even if its only one single driver and team. The sheer “Spectacle” of those vying for the final grid spot is typically Herculean! And for Mwah, Bump Day’s Last Row Shootout is always far more thrilling than the Pole shootout.

 

As one needs only look back to 2019, when the Minnowesqe Junco Racing and Kyle Kiser in a “Frankenstein” car Bumped Two-times Formula 1 World champion Fernando Alonso from that year’s Indianapolis 500!

 

Meanwhile, and it cannot just be Mwah. But “Isn’t It Ironic?” That with the 25 current IndyCar Charters being assured of making the field. We’re suddenly back to that Good, ‘Ol 25-8 rule.

 

As Shame On You IndyCar! As this is what the whole spirit of the Indianapolis 500 is supposed to represent…

 

Incredible radio from Kyle Kiser after Bumping Fernando Alonso from the 2019 Indianapolis 500 

Aston Martin: Britain’s Great Pretenders?

As what’s that overused cliché about the perfect Storm?

 

Thursday’s press conference preceding the Australian Grand Prix saw Aston Martin team principal Adrian Newey dropping the “Bombshell” over both His drivers fearing permanent nerve damage to their hands/fingers due to the unrelenting vibrations the Honda Power Units (PU) were experiencing.

 

As Newey claimed star driver Fernando Alonso thought 25 consecutive  laps was His limit, with Lance Stroll saying He could only do 15 laps.

 

As Alonso said when driving this year’s AMR26 chassis, His legs and hands feel numb, which obviously isn’t a normal sensation drivers are accustomed to!

 

Although Alonso contradicted Newey by saying He could race for three hours is necessary. While Lance Stroll described the vibration like sitting in an Electric Chair…

 

What I fail to comprehend is how could Honda worked itself into the position a second time in Formula 1? Since I think we all remember Alonso’s famous quote about the previous Honda PU being slower than a GP2 car! And making “friends” with Honda eternally…

 

Although some claim this is political theatre, certainly Newey publicly stating He hadn’t had time to discuss this with Honda Racing Corporation’s (HRC) boss Koji Watanabe cannot go over well with the Japanese hierarchy, Righto?

 

Then on Friday, Alonso failed to run at all if the first practice, with Lance Stroll only doing three laps. With Newey admitting they were short on battery units.

 

As two of the units were swiftly out of commission, leaving just the two units in the cars for the remainder of the weekend. Although one unit was repaired, leaving them with a single back-up unit for the Chinese Grand Prix. With teams limited to four battery “packs” for a season, before presumably incurring grid penalties. In the name of cost control, Cough-cough!

 

Yet its a sad state of affairs, when Aston’s Mike Krack, the former Team Principal pronounces Frederico Suave (Alonso) finishing the team’s first Grand Prix at Suzuka P18 as a major accomplishment, Huh?

 

Whilst Stroll retired with a suspected water pressure issue for the Internal Combustion Engine. (ICE) Which I cannot help but wonder if that was caused by more harmonic vibrations?

 

According to Adrian Newey, it came as quite a surprise to Him, major domo Lawerence Stroll and Andy Cowell Some four months prior to Melbourne when visiting Japan. That Honda had lost a lot of their experienced staff after announcing the withdrawal from Formula 1 in 2021. Before making a “U-turn” during 2022, being behind their F1 rivals ever since…

 

It seemed quite odd that Newey was elevated to the Team Principal role at the time, which I just Arse-sumed was the team firmly telling Newey’s former boss Chris Horner, the ex-Pied Piper of Red Bull that He wasn’t welcomed at Aston!

 

But it just didn’t make any sense to me, since Newey was signed on a $25 million per year contract to sprinkle His design “Genius” upon Aston Martin’s chassis. In conjunction with Honda Werks’ engines, Err Power Units and Presto Chango, instant “World Beaters”, Tuh-duh!

 

Yet for Mwah, Aston Martin has some sort of systemic problem at its core. And team owner Lawrence stroll’s idea of simply throwing money around will solve everything doesn’t seem to be working.

 

Not sure how many millions have been spent upon the new state-of-art factory premises, err F1 campus at Silverstone. Or the top flight wind tunnel coming online, et al.

 

It just seems that the constant turnover of staffing speaks volumes.

 

As Mike Krack replaced outgoing Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer, who left Aston Martin at the end of 2021. Being part of the “Old Guard”, i.e.; Force India, thru Stroll’s takeover as Racing Point and then becoming today’s Aston Martin F1 Team.

 

Krack became Chief Trackside Officer at the beginning of last year, when then Group CEO Andy Cowell took over His position. Before Newey’s elevation to Team Principal; Cowell was announced as the new Chief Strategy Officer last November, to coordinate the integration of the Honda PU into the Aston Martin AMR-26 chassis.

 

Which makes sense now, after that November meeting in Japan.

 

As Cowell had originally replaced Martin Whitmarsh when joining Aston Martin from Mercedes, with scuttlebutt suggesting Cowell will leave Aston shortly. And so it goes…

 

Since we’re all eagerly awaiting the introduction of Jonathan Wheatley, former Sauber/Audi Team Principal, becoming Aston Martin’s newest Team Principal. Probably after the summer break while on Gardening leave currently.

 

Meanwhile, Simulator Jockey Daniel Juncadella claims He didn’t see any of Honda’s problems coming during His simulator work, while I still don’t quite grasp the need, or what Pedro de la Rosa’s role as Global F1 Ambassador is?

 

Aston Martin Global F1 Ambassador Pedro de la Rosa talks racing and resilience

 

Thus, this ever revolving door makes it reasonable that El Supremo Engineer Gianpiero Lambiase has just been confirmed going to McLaren when His current Red Bull contract expires at the end of 2027, albeit does Red Bull really want Him sticking round after the end of this season?

 

As the exodus of “Rats” is now in high gear at Milton Keynes, with Lambiase, Max Verstappen’s championship winning engineer having had offers from McLaren, Aston Martin and Williams. I’d say He chose to work at the most stable, competitive Formula 1 outfit on the grid, behind Herr Wolff’s mighty Silver arrows, Ja volt!

 

Although I must say I marvel over how Uber’ diplomatic Alonso’s been this go-around, perhaps wishing to continue on past His contract expiring at season’s end. Yet the soon to be 45 year old driver surely is nearing the end of His time in Formula 1, Ci?

 

And Lance Stroll will never deliver anything substantial in F1. Since would He still be in F1 without His billionaire father?

 

Meaning even when Aston Martin and Honda get the kinks worked out. With one rival F1 boss saying they weren’t falling for giving Honda concessions a second time after Red Bull’s latest F1 dynasty…

 

It seems that Aston Martin will still have a major problem without new, capable winning drivers in their cockpits…

 

Whilst lastly, I’ll leave you with the entire trilogy of my epic 75 Years of Honda Racing No Fenders story below. Since I’d like to believe that Honda will once again soar to the top in F1.

 

Honda turns 75 years old 

Acura celebrates 40th Birthday in style at Long Beach

As move over “Red rocker” this Integra’s playing thru!

 

Nah Race Fans, no riveting Long Beach IndyCar reports here, Hya! Instead perhaps Y’all heard about or spotted that Rad’ Acura Integra No. 40 tribute car over the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend?

 

As Honda bought itself a birthday present, even after declaring its first ever loss in 70 years, to the tune of some $16 Billion! Along with cancelling the planned production of three new EV’s in North America…

 

I don’t know about Y’all, but when I hear the word Comptech, I immediately think of Parker Johnstone! Which for some reason I’ve just learned (again) was born in Redmond, Oregon, say what?

 

As Honda launched its luxury brand Acura on March 27, 1986, and immediately backed then unknown of Comptech Racing to build “Sporty” Integra racecars that dominated IMSA’s International Sedan series between 1987-90. While Comptech had built Honda’s very first North American racecar in 1985, a CRX model.

 

Comptech then graduated to IMSA’s Camel Lights category with similar crushing results. Winning the championship three years on-the-trot, including two Rolex 24 and one 12 Hours of Sebring class victories between 1991-93.

 

Five years ago, I noted here upon No Fenders how Wayne Taylor Racing’s win in the Rolex 24 was a Historic Three-peat for WTR. Joining the likes of rival Chip Ganassi Racing. (CGR) Prior to Porsche Penske Motorsport joining the “Party” this year.

 

Also being Wayne Taylor’s fourth overall W’ in five years; its latest 24 Hours of Daytona victory. Along with being a Watershed moment for Acura, scoring it’s Breakthrough Overall 24 Hours of Daytona victory. Before securing its own Three-peat at Daytona thanks to WTR and Meyer shank Racing’s (MSR) wins between 2021-23.

 

Although then, I was unaware that Comptech Racing had won at Daytona with a Spice SE90CL Prototype chassis, propelled by Acura’s NSX V-6 lump’ in the GTP Lights Class. Ironically 30 years ago, which Marshall Pruett chronicled in his usual Brilliant writing.

 

ROLEX 24 RETRO: Acura’s wild breakthrough Daytona win

 

The Comptech entry was put on it’s Class Pole by some Cat named Parker Johnstone, remember him Y’all? As think He was one of Ye Oldest IndyCar blogger’s Geo. Phillips favourite IndyCar Announcers, Hya!

 

Comptech then joined Rahal/Hogan Racing’s revival of Honda engines in the CART/PPG IndyCar World Series in 1994, making its debut at Portland International Raceway. Competing in IndyCar for three years. With Johnstone scoring Honda’s maiden IndyCar Pole position at Michigan International Speedway in 1995.

 

Having scribbled previously about Honda’s return to IndyCar racing in the following No Fenders yarn.

 

Honda Racing’s 75yrs Trilogy Conclusion

 

If you’re still following along? Then I’ll cut to the chase. As Acura created a Rad’ first generation No. 40 Integra racecar paying homage to those early Comptech racecars. Appropriately sprayed in vivid red, with a “refreshed” 1.6-litre straight four lump’ mated to a five speed manual gearbox.

 

Having originally learned about this throwback tribute vehicle on my Newsline for The Blind’s telephone service’s Car & Driver magazine section.

 

Which I’ll let the story’s author Eric Stafford do the “Heavy” lifting, and give All of the Gory details below…

 

Acura Celebrates Turning 40 by Building this Rad Integra Race Car

 

Although naturally, I stumbled upon another article on Ye All knowing Intrawoods’, claiming that Comptech Racing had actually won both the IMSA International Sedan series Manufacturer and Drivers championships four years in-a-row. Both with Comptech co-founder Doug Peterson and teammate Parker Johnstone.

 

The original Acura Integra completely ruled its IMSA Class

 

As who knows? Perhaps Acura will bring us a third generation NSX model sometime in the future. Perhaps with a GT3 spec racecar? Since it would be cool seeing an Acura NSX Evo LMGT3 poundin’ round Circuit de la Sarthe… 

F1: Super clipping sucking soul out of Sport

As “Battery world Championship” isn’t an encouraging F1 moniker!

 

Why did I think of that ‘Ol Kansas song with the following lyrics, Eh?

 

“Once I rose above the noise and confusion
Just to get a glimpse beyond this illusion
I was soaring ever higher
But I flew too high”

 

VIDEO: Carry On Wayward Son

 

Max Verstappen

“I found a cheaper solution. I swapped the simulator for my Nintendo Switch and yeah, practicing a bit of Mario Kart, actually.

 

“Finding the mushrooms is going quite well. The blue shell is a bit more difficult, but I'm working on it. The rocket's still not there. It's coming.”

(Source: grandprix.com)

 

Those were the words of Four-times F1 World Champion Max Verstappen during Thursday’s Chinese Grand Prix press conference. When asked if simulator work helped drivers in managing the complex 2026 car’s energy systems.

 

This year’s Formula 1 season finds myself at multiple crossroads. Having religiously “watched”, Err followed Formula 1 for nearly 40 years now, with my debutante F1 race being the 1986 Detroit Grand Prix. And cannot say I’m overly impressed with the latest interpretation of thee “Pinnacle of Motorsports”.

 

Think we’ve all heard Max Blunderhead’s critique of it being Formula E on Steroids, which I tend to agree with. As what’s happened to the late Ayrton Senna’s famous quip “If you no longer go for a Gap that exists, then you’re no longer a racing driver!

 

“As I’m mot here to finish third, fourth or fifth, I drive to win”.

 

VIDEO: Ayrton Senna – If you No longer Go for a Gap

 

And Fernando Alonso’s sarcastic quip about how the (Aston Martin) chef could drive the car. Hell, half the team could drive the car now! Since you no longer need any skill to drive these cars, instead just managing the energy management system…

 

As formula 1 used to be about skill, bravery and bravado of finding the outer limit of driving a car through flat out corners like Spoon and 130R at Suzuka, which have been neutered!

 

Whilst Lando Norris has rightly pointed out how the current F1 chassis has killed the soul of formula 1! With Charles Leclerc lamenting how its all become about consistency over a lap and not being able to drive on the ragged edge anymore…

 

While I’m guessing we’re all learning about what this Super clipping is, eh? Which if I understand correctly, is when today’s F1 chassis is left with no battery power on the straight and depending solely upon the internal combustion engine (ICE) to propel the car forwards. Seeing to a dramatic drop in performance and overall top speed.

 

Although I’ve read that this Super Clipping phenomenon can even occur when the Power Unit is under full power, with the energy management system deciding to “cut-in”.

 

F1 2026 Super Clipping explained

 

Today’s racecars are dependent upon the 50% battery power, and with the subtraction of the MGU-H, (Motor Generator Heat Unit) harvesting exhaust gasses to limit turbo lag. Drivers can only recharge their battery during braking in corners, which leads to a lack of electrical energy on circuits with long straights and little corner braking, which Suzuka used to be.

 

Now am I advocating for the return of those shrieking 3.0-litre normally aspirated V-10’s. I said speak up Sonny! What do you mean my hearing Sucks? Huh? Did you say something eh?

 

I’m just left feeling that Formula 1 has gone too far forward with this technical regulation cycle. With two immediate thoughts, Err three springing to mind…

 

Do you all remember that despised Delta wing racecar? Once hailed as the next generation of Indy Cars. As where did the Delta wing go?

 

Along with the Handford device which made overtaking occur Ah-Plenty’ in (CART) IndyCar racing. Perhaps being the original Yo-Yo racing format, Eh?

 

Or how about the ridiculous amount of drivers passing and then being repassed during the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Me Thinks? Or whatever year there was some ridiculous 68 passes for the lead or something to that effect.

 

As I’ve said many times before, I’m not an engineer, nor do I pretend to play one. Or stay at Motel 6 or whatever the tag-line is? Meaning I’ve got zero clue on how to solve this current dilemma…

 

But you only need to look at Oliver Bearman’s nasty crash at Suzuka when encountering Franco Colapinto at a closing speed of 28mph. And indeed, Formula 1 is extremely lucky that Ollie’ walked away from His 50G impact at 191mph with only bruising to His extremities!

 

Since why does the late Gilles Villeneuve crash come to mind?

 

Whilst Lando’s comment about how He repassed Lewis Hamilton at Suzuka even when He didn’t want to, solely due to the battery system kicking in. And then having Hamilton immediately repass Him when His energy store was depleted and Lewis could call “Slingshot On!” Is definitely not real racing!

 

Although Lando sarcastically quipped after the Japanese Grand Prix: “this is the Best racing ever!”

 

Yeah, I understand that IndyCar has its vaunted P2P, ergo Push-to-Pass turbo boost system, going back at least to Champ Car. And Formula 1 previously had DRS. (Drag Reduction System) Both artificial methods to increase overtaking.

 

Its just that I’ve always thought F1 was supposed to be the pioneers of technology that one day would filter down to our road cars. Meaning do we really want everyone saying Slingshot On! Or pushing the turbo boost button on our Freeways and residential streets?

 

And is Formula 1 really all about Megajoules deployment? You make the call…

 

Partial song lyrics from: Kansas’s Carry On Wayward Son; 1976 Leftoverture Album. 

A Weekend of Motorsports Firsts

As who’ll break the next record?

 

Yeah, who knows what will happen next? Especially since we’ve been in the relatively “Quiet” month of April. With Formula 1 having cancelled both Middle East races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the Iran War! And MotoGP postponing its Qatar round until early November, in hopes the Straight of Hormuz will have been reopened, Splat!

 

IndyCar got off to a frenetic start with three races in three weeks, before a week off for the 12 Hours of Sebring. And then March’s Nightcap at thee Oh, so Beautiful Barbers. Saw some drivers and teams race five weeks in-a-row.

 

Before a three weeks gap to Long Beach and an Open test at some ‘lil ‘Ol Oval. (April 28-29) Gave drivers and their teams plenty ‘O time to hunt for Easter Eggs, but I digress…

 

Alas, a month ago now, I began the weekend of March 15th by tuning into Friday’s IndyCar first practice on FOX. Although really didn’t feel like we learned anything.

 

Then began Saturday morning by listening to Chinese GP Sprint race highlights, which Ho Hum, George Russell won, Yawn!

 

Then I “watched”, err listened to the entire IndyCar Qualie’ session on FOX, being my very final TV show before the Spectrum technician arrived to take away my overpriced cable box, having finally “cut the Chord!”

 

Being somewhat surprised with the amount of “air-time” Josef Schlick’ Newgarden got for having to switch to a backup chassis after crashing in practice. Before ScottyMac’, aka Scott McLaughlin crashed in the exact same corner during qualifying, Youch!

 

Have to say I was totally rootin’ for Marcus Ericsson to secure His first IndyCar pole, with two sets ‘O fingers crossed. As believe it was James Hinchcliffe who mentioned Ericsson may be had the advantage of going first in the Fast Six Shootout. Since His tyres and brakes were totally warm, while the other waited. With Marcus having the shortest turn-around time between sessions…

 

One-by-one, they couldn’t go faster than Ericsson. With only Alex Palou, the “Surgeon” waiting to break Ericsson’s Heart! But Palou ended up a half second slower than Ericsson, and the Swede claimed His first pole position in thirteen Gory years, Aye Karumba!

 

During Sunday morning’s pre-race blather. Heard IndyCar Radio’s Ryan Marin say it was Ericsson’s first pole in any discipline in 13 years. Since claiming pole for the June 30, 2013 Silverstone GP2 race. Which interestingly, somebody named Alexander Rossi was also participating in…

 

Actually, it was the day prior (June 29) when Ericsson claimed His second and final pole position of the season driving for DAMS for the Feature race. As the Swede’ won once at Germany’s Nurburgring, with a total of five podiums to finish sixth overall that year.

 

Alexander also claimed one win at Abu Dhabi’s season finale on Yas Isle, starting from pole. With Rossi Finishing ninth overall in the (2013) GP2 championship, driving for Caterham Racing.

 

As it was Rossi’s maiden GP2 win, and the first ever by an American driver. With Rossi claiming three more wins in 2015 for Racing Engineering, enroute to Vice Champion, err runner-up, albeit a distant second to Stoffel Vandoorne.

 

Meanwhile in Shanghai, Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed His maiden Formula 1 pole in just His 26th Grands Prix. Becoming the sport’s youngest ever pole winner, as a teenager!

 

Antonelli’s pole came at the tender age of 19 years, six months and 18 days. (19yrs 201 days)  The first ever teenager to do so. With the previous record holder being ‘lil Syd Viddle’.

 

As Sebastian Vettel claimed the first of His eventual 53 pole positions at 21 years, two months and 11 days old. (21yrs, 73 days)  At the 2008 Italian Grand Prix, some 18 years ago, Momma Mia!

 

Also the site of where Vettel would win His first Grand Prix for Scuderia toro Rosso at Monza. The Minnowesqe Italian team’s debutante Grand Prix victory! And the first non-Ferrari chassis to do so, since toro rosso was utilizing 2.4-litre V-8 customer Ferrari lumps’.

 

Antonelli becomes the 116^th maiden Grand Prix winner, and the first since Oscar Piastri at Hungary, 2024. The year that both current McLaren F1 drivers scored their maiden Grand Prix wins at, with Lando Norris having done so at the Miami Grand Prix earlier that year…

 

Yet Antonelli wasn’t done setting records yet. Since not only did He go back-to-back with another pole position and win at the Japanese Grand Prix. Kimi also left Suzuka with the drivers point lead, becoming the youngest ever to do so.

 

As move over George, (Russell) Thars’ a New kid in town! 

INDY 500: Who’ll be No. 33?

Inquiring Minds wanna Know…

 

What had been a fairly quiet start to April, revved up Thursday morning, April 9th.

 

Whale’, at least for Mwah. Awaking to the news that the FIA had rescheduled two Formula 2 rounds to the forthcoming Miami and Montreal races. The first time Formula 2 will compete in North America.

 

With the Canadian Grand Prix unwisely being held the very same day as some ‘lil ‘OL Oval race at 16th & Georgetown. Throwing a spanner in Colton Herta’s plans to run the fourth Andretti Global entry at Mother Speedway, due to clashing with His “Day Job”.

 

As Herta was ranked 11th in the Formula 2 standings following the Melbourne rounds, before Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to the ongoing Iran War. With Colton hoping to garner enough points to secure a FIA Super license in order to race in Formula 1 for Cadillac.

 

Although not sure why He’d want to compete in the “Battery World championship”. Or who Herta would “Bump” from the current Cadillac F1 driver lineup, Eh?

 

Andretti Global’s new IndyCar boss Ron Ruzewski immediately told Marshal Pruett that Andretti Global would therefore just focus upon its three fulltime IndyCar drivers and not run a fourth entry this May after Herta got “Bumped”.

 

Thus, this would imply there’s a single Honda engine lease available. With word still waiting on whether or not Prema Racing’s new

Single car venture shows up at Mother Speedway?

 

As Pruett notes that three possibilities to field the 33rd entry for Indianapolis seemingly is between Prema, A. J. Foyt Enterprises or Bryan Herta Autosport.

 

As my “Money’s” on BHA (Herta) running a single car entry for Thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge with Honda power. Since Larry foyt has said they’re not planning on running a third entry.

 

Although Stefan Wilson and Sparky’, aka Devlin DeFrancesco have both been mentioned as having the necessary budget and obviously seeking a ride. While Juncos Hollinger Racing supposedly has plenty ‘O spare Dallara DW12 chassis…

 

As perhaps we’ll have more clarity at the end of the month during the two day Open test between April 28-29    ? 

Penske and ECR reshuffle Engineering

Although they’re not alone in the pursuit of the “Unfair Advantage!”

 

Laying dormant over thoust winter slumber, thru the new year and first four races. I’ve finally been able to track down the results of the significant engineering reshuffle at Team Penske this season. With the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle being Tim Cindric’s re-hiring.

 

Following last May’s firing of Cindric, Ron Ruzewski and Kyle Moyer, Porsche Penske Motorsport major domo Jonathan Diuguid assumed Cindric’s role and is in charge of the IndyCar and IMSA GTP programs. With Travis Law serving as Competition Director.

 

David Faustino, Will Power’s engineer and 16 year Penske veteran has been appointed as Technical Director, overseeing R&D and technical aspects of the IndyCar program.

 

Ben Bretzman, who’s served as Simon Pagenaud’s and Scott McLaughlin’s race engineer. Was promoted to Engineering Manager of Competition, overseeing all three Team Penske IndyCar’s engineering efforts.

 

Josef Schlick’ Newgarden retains His Indianapolis 500 winning race engineer Luke Mason and team boss Jonathan Diuguid as race strategist.

 

ScottyMac’, ergo Scott McLaughlin has new race engineer Raul Brados. And on the timing stand, Tim Cindric as strategist.

 

David Malukas continues with James Schnadel as race engineer, the pair working together at Foyt last year. While Travis Law steps up to being a first time race strategist.

 

Matt Johnsson, a former chief mechanic becomes the new Assembly Manager. While Robbie Atikson becomes the new Team Manager.

 

Another IndyCar team making significant changes over winter was Ed Carpenter Racing. (ECR) With Matt Barnes being elevated to Vice President of Competition.

 

Thus relative newcomer Quentin Montigaud, who becomes Alexander Rossi’s new strategist. As the former Formula E employee will also engineer Rossi’s car, after serving as performance engineer last year on the No. 20 ECR entry. While Christian Rasmussen’s No. 21 entry retains Peter Craik.

 

Robert Gue, former Arrow Mclaren and Prema Racing employee joins ECR as Special Projects Manager. Derek Davidson, former Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL) chief mechanic and team manager becomes ECR’s new team manager. And Chase Campbell has been hired as the team’s first ever Stregth and Conditioning coach; also overseeing pit stop practice for both entries, and serve as pit stop coach.

 

On an unrelated note. Ryan Briscoe, former sporting director of Prema Racing, has taken up a similar role for RLL, working with its three drivers, primarily newcomer Mick Schumacher. While veteran engineer Mike Pawlowski who recently worked with Kyle Larson, becomes Schumacher’s race engineer.

 

Then after finishing this story. I spotted news that Pawlowski will shift to an R&D engineering role at RLL, since the chemistry between Him and Mick wasn’t panning out.

 

Veteran engineer Ed Jones will fill-in at Barber, and remain with Schumacher thru Long Beach. Then shifts over to Takuma Sato’s No. 75 entry for theIMS Open test and Indianapolis 500. With the team using this time to determine who Schumacher’s next race engineer for the remainder of the season will be.