2013 IndyCar silly season

[NaBUru38]

So, let's list some of the rumours:

o- AJ Allmendiget could join Penske.
o- Ryan Briscoe could leave Penske to Ganassi.
o- Graham Rahal would join Bobby Rahal's team.
o- Rubens Barrichello would leave KV for Schmidt.

Also, Ernesto Viso wants to build his own team, to allow Latin American drivers climb to IndyCar.

This would leave KV with just one driver, Tony Kanaan. Speed's Marshall Pruett hints that the team could merge with Ed Carpenter Racing or less probably HMV.

How about Esteban Guerrieri joining KV? He's a Chevrolet fan, and the Argentine fans know that. Money will talk, of course.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

So, let's list some of the rumours:

o- AJ Allmendiger could join Penske.

I hope Mr. AJ would join IndyCar even though he's reinstated to NASCAR for next year...

[Yannick]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

So, let's list some of the rumours:

o- AJ Allmendiget could join Penske.

It looks like Mr Dinger wants to remain in NASCAR. Otherwise, it would be one of the rarest career paths to reach the Penske IndyCar Team: Forsythe --> Red Bull Racing --> Gillett/Evernham/Petty --> Penske Racing --> Team Penske

Also, Ernesto Viso wants to build his own team, to allow Latin American drivers climb to IndyCar.

This would leave KV with just one driver, Tony Kanaan. Speed's Marshall Pruett hints that the team could merge with Ed Carpenter Racing or less probably HMV.

How about Esteban Guerrieri joining KV? He's a Chevrolet fan, and the Argentine fans know that. Money will talk, of course.

Viso as team boss? That's a surprise.

It's somewhat scary how KV Racing's results have dwindled over the past few seasons. But why would Ed Carpenter Racing want to merge? They can win on their own and have a capable sponsor, too. Why don't they just hire Mike Conway for the road courses and have a combination of winning at all circuits?

A Kanaan / Guerreri combination at KV looks like it could turn out nicely.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Yannick

It looks like Mr Dinger wants to remain in NASCAR.

It's a bit sad that Mr. 'Dinger would remain in NASCAR for the time being. So much for moving to IndyCar.

Still, I wonder if there are possible rumors that there would be another former F1 driver to race at IndyCar?

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by Yannick

It's somewhat scary how KV Racing's results have dwindled over the past few seasons. But why would Ed Carpenter Racing want to merge? They can win on their own and have a capable sponsor, too. Why don't they just hire Mike Conway for the road courses and have a combination of winning at all circuits

Carpenter has expressed interest in running a two-car operation.

[Yannick]

OK guys, so let's ask different questions: who is already signed for next year apart from the 3 Andretti Autosport drivers, Will Power and Helio Castro Neves for Penske and Scott Dixon and Dario Franchitti for Ganassi?

I think I heard Fisher wants to continue with Josef Newgarden, Ganassi wants to keep his 2nd shop open but Charlie Kimball's sponsors only will fund one car so the other is a vacancy. JR Hildebrand seems to have a multi-year contract with Panther. I hardly can think of anyone except HVM Racing who would sign Simona De Silvestro at this stage, unfortunately, so she'll probably reappear at that team with a different engine this time. And Ed Carpenter is still his own driver again, probably for all types of circuits again, which I have to admit, is not such a good choice but you can do things like that if you are your own boss. Tony Kanaan looks to be the only driver at KV Racing. Sam Schmidt's team seem to be happy with Simon Pagenaud having won rookie's honours so they are likely to keep him.

But what about the others?

Dale Coyne's cockpits usually get filled rather late in the game but it would be a surprise if Justin Wilson voluntarily leaves the green pastures at that team again after winning yet another deserved victory this year. I cannot think anyone else interested in James Jakes' driving talent, but maybe there is somebody.

Dreyer & Reinbold seemed to be very content with Oriol Servia's results this year so they surely want to keep him.

The Foyt team has spoken out to the press that they are looking for one of the seasoned allrounders available on the driver market for their #14 ride.

There has been no news so far from Bryan Herta's team. Neither has there been from AFS Racing but if they will be there it seems likely that the driver paying the bill will be Sebastian Saavedra. Rubens Barrichello has been mentioned as a possibility for a 2nd Schmidt car - why not?

That leaves the big question mark at Team Rahal which is probably the most interesting cockpit change due this silly season: one car or two? Father and son reunited or not?

What's the state of Dragon Racing after the "****ing incident"? Will they continue as a 2 car team? After all, Sebastien Bourdais has not been able to score a decent result despite having been near the front at quite a few races.

Is there still a chance we might see another reappearance of a car under the Newman/Haas banner next year?

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by Yannick

Neither has there been from AFS Racing but if they will be there it seems likely that the driver paying the bill will be Sebastian Saavedra.

Gary Peterson from AFS has said a few weeks ago that he hopes to expand to a full-time operation next year, still with Sebastian Saaverda.

Originally Posted by Ostrogothicus

Narain Karthikeyan looking for and IndyCar test:

http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/10/19/ka...for-indy-test/

Narain has denied this rumour a few days ago on Twitter: https://twitter.com/narainracing/sta...33357785874433

Since Rubens' move, it seems that any F1 driver supposedly in danger of losing his seat is rumoured to go to IndyCar...

[fredd1]

Originally Posted by W.A Trichlorostyrene

Gary Peterson from AFS has said a few weeks ago that he hopes to expand to a full-time operation next year, still with Sebastian Saaverda.



Narain has denied this rumour a few days ago on Twitter: https://twitter.com/narainracing/sta...33357785874433

Since Rubens' move, it seems that any F1 driver supposedly in danger of losing his seat is rumoured to go to IndyCar...

No.
Only the losers get to dream.
The real drivers-out-of-a-ride (Alguarsari, Buemi, Sutil, etc) don't lower themselves.

[QnickFTW]

Originally Posted by fredd1

No.
Only the losers get to dream.
The real drivers-out-of-a-ride (Alguarsari, Buemi, Sutil, etc) don't lower themselves.

Im not even sure what that supposed to mean. Alguersuari (thats how its spelt), Sutil and Buemi? That list is like the definition of mediocrity (and in Alguersuari's case Im even being generous) What have they ever done? Precisely nothing.

Rubens is a far superior driver IMO, he got fed up with the politics in F1 (HRT signing Pedro instead of him, Williams signing Seanna instead of him? really?) and went to do something he loves, racing. His season wasnt exactly a success story but certainly not something to be ashamed of either. I dont see how Sutil playing Xbox at home is not "lowering" him while Rubens being out there racing wheel to wheel like a man , does?

[marcostraz]

Originally Posted by QnickFTW

Im not even sure what that supposed to mean. Alguersuari (thats how its spelt), Sutil and Buemi? That list is like the definition of mediocrity (and in Alguersuari's case Im even being generous) What have they ever done? Precisely nothing.

Rubens is a far superior driver IMO, he got fed up with the politics in F1 (HRT signing Pedro instead of him, Williams signing Seanna instead of him? really?) and went to do something he loves, racing. His season wasnt exactly a success story but certainly not something to be ashamed of either. I dont see how Sutil playing Xbox at home is not "lowering" him while Rubens being out there racing wheel to wheel like a man , does?

I'm totally agree with you...some "fans" have to stop with this stupid defeatism!!!

[Victor_RO]

No news from Herta is because they're keeping the status quo from this year (Honda engines and Tags staying on). Last bit of news I heard from that direction was that Barracuda would be increasing their sponsorship for 2013.

[Yannick]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Last bit of news I heard from that direction was that Barracuda would be increasing their sponsorship for 2013.

Well, I'd call that good news.

[NaBUru38]

The race and television calendars has been published already, so that will help teams sign driver earlier than the previous years.

[JohnSSC]

Joy. Perhaps Milka Duno could make a comeback...

[D.R.T.]

Her and others hopefully John

[JohnSSC]

Originally Posted by D.R.T.

Her and others hopefully John

How the talent level would be enriched! Mayhap Tarso Marques, Ricardo Sperafico, Nelson Phillipe and Gaston Mazzacane leap into the fray once again...

[JohnSSC]

Fabrizio DelMonte, Geoff Boss....

[D.R.T.]

Those and some more talented experienced racers.

In terms of talent level - the 2012 field was pretty good

[NaBUru38]

2012's backmarkers were very proficient. Not F1 level, but no Milkas or Matsus.

[Hawkwood]

Narain Karthikeyan looking for and IndyCar test:

http://www.yallaf1.com/2012/10/19/ka...for-indy-test/

[Yannick]

Though not exactly popular in the US, Narain Karthikeyan is quite a competent driver despite his HRT years not showing it. He could do well in IndyCar. But are his experiences in NASCAR trucks enough for having a go at the big ovals? I sure do hope so. Will his sponsors be interested in IndyCar, too? That may be another matter. I wonder which ride he is aiming to get.

Besides, has anybody else noticed Carl Haas has bought Lola Cars?

[NaBUru38]

Simona will have Tony Kanaan as teammate in KV... this will be her year, I'm sure.

[JohnSSC]

Provided, of course, that a season happens.

[Yannick]

So as the political wranglings have come to their climax for the time being we can continue to ponder how the driver / team combinations might turn out to be for next season - if we care, that is.

The most sought-after ride certainly is Penske's #6 previously occupied by Ryan Briscoe, which might or might not be discontinued.
Ganassi's #38 is the 2nd most sought after ride. It would not surprise me if Ryan Briscoe were not to go to Ganassi, but who else might Ganassi be interested in for their #38? Wilson? Servia (a wild guess, I know)? A pay driver?

What do you think is the 3rd most sought after ride for next season?

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Originally Posted by Yannick

The most sought-after ride certainly is Penske's #6 previously occupied by Ryan Briscoe, which might or might not be discontinued.

It most likely won't come back next year, according to Marshall Pruett. Briscoe has strong options elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Yannick

Ganassi's #38 is the 2nd most sought after ride. It would not surprise me if Ryan Briscoe were not to go to Ganassi, but who else might Ganassi be interested in for their #38? Wilson? Servia (a wild guess, I know)? A pay driver?

It's going to be pay driver or bust for the #38, I believe.

I don't see Wilson leaving Coyne or Servia leaving DRR.

Originally Posted by Yannick

What do you think is the 3rd most sought after ride for next season?

Foyt's #14. And I put it 1st on the list. No matter how bad the entry as done this year, it's more or less the only paid drive left. And unlike Penske's #6 or Ganassi's #38, it is not going to be vapour ware.