Quote:
Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith
If the option was open, who else did they have in mind?
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The option was to renew him or not and let his contract lapse. I didn't see the terms but it could have saved them money but his backing by Honda has to help make that decision easier. They could have potentially tried for someone coming up with backing and cash but he has won twice and a couple poles. But it's only for 2020 so after next year they can look again, although not many changes likely unless someone leaves F1 with money to burn.
The Indy Lights field is getting sparse and the winner's bonus doesn't pay a full season. Askew won the bonus this afternoon but he's with Andretti in Lights, I'd expect him to run the 3 races with them. Maybe more if they can stretch the money and funding. Veekay won the race but couldn't quite catch Askew, another year in Lights seems out if the question but where he goes up to is also a question. If he could bring money, and he's supposedly connected to money sponsors, then the rumored third RLL seat could be a starting point, or have given Bobby a bit to think about before bringing Sato back. All in all with Rossi and Herta set it seems like silly season will be more about the cars and testing the aeroscreen than drivers.