Indycar News & Rumors.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

Great news for him, glad he was able to move on from FR3.5!

I can't read the piece for some reason, does it say anything about Vautier losing his seat? I can't imagine that Pagenaud would be the one to make way, or are they expanding to three cars?

Pagenaud's staying, Aleshin must have brought some money with him.

[rwintle]

Originally Posted by Hawkwood

I can't read the piece for some reason, does it say anything about Vautier losing his seat? I can't imagine that Pagenaud would be the one to make way, or are they expanding to three cars?

Doesn't say anything about Vautier other than that he drove their other car in 2013. Schmidt praises his maturity and says he feels his driving style is similar to Pagenaud's and he will be able to contribute right away.

I'd never heard of him but he sounds like a credible shoe. I hadn't realized the extent of the possible carnage of drivers without rides until they were listed above.. and the addition of this young man just adds to the list of spots where the rest of them won't be racing(!).

EDIT - it wouldn't hurt my feelings if Beatriz and Saavedra disappeared (again, in Saavedra's case) from the series. Would be bummed about Tagliani and Servia, and very disappointed if Simona can't put something together. The others... not emotionally invested in any of them although it would be nice to see Daly get a seat, and Filippi certainly has looked promising.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Beatriz is sniffing around 8Star for a DP ride under a different name (something seems fishy there?) so I would think so won't be back in Indycar, perhaps losing the Brazil race cost her the funding she had?

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Beatriz is sniffing around 8Star for a DP ride under a different name (something seems fishy there?) so I would think so won't be back in Indycar, perhaps losing the Brazil race cost her the funding she had?

Bia Figueiredo by any chance?
her full name is Ana Beatriz "Bia" Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo and she raced first as Bia Figueiredo I believe, then switched to Ana Beatriz when she went to the States.
Nothing fishy, just foreign names

[Canada ALMS fan]

Thanks for that. Was thinking maybe the source of her funding was less than honourable. It is sad to think like that but with all the shady money in racing lately it is hard not to.

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Thanks for that. Was thinking maybe the source of her funding was less than honourable. It is sad to think like that but with all the shady money in racing lately it is hard not to.

I think she used the Ana Beatriz name for marketing reasons in the states. Easier to pronounce.

[bjohnsonsmith]

An interesting interview with Montoya on his return to AOWR, on the home page of the IndyCar website. Some footage of him driving in the CART era. Shame those cars have gone.

http://www.indycar.com/

[Yannick]

Here's hoping we'll at least see Bia Figueiredo at the Indy 500. She has always been competent on ovals.

Aleshin who? Looks like Sam Schmidt Motorsports is having a go at the Rookie Of the Year trophy again. But will the new guy score better results than Vautier? That remains to be seen. To be honest, I'd rather have had Vautier back. We'll see if he can get the 3rd Schmidt entry for the Indy 500 - of there is one.

[HJJ]

Montoya testing at Sebring.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...YCAR/131129888

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by HJJ

Montoya testing at Sebring.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...YCAR/131129888

Do we know what sponsorship his livery have yet?

[Knowlesy]

I have to say, even though I wasn't 100% happy he left NASCAR, it is a really nice feeling actually seeing Juan back in an open-wheeler. Almost brings a tear to the eye!

[Paradise City]

I like the way Penske is receptive to putting him back into a NASCAR for a race or two. It's kind of statement of defiance that he hasn't been beaten by that series and Penske field better cars there than Earnhardt Ganassi would be capable of.

I hope this tax controversy doesn't bite him in the backside though.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by HJJ

Montoya testing at Sebring.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...YCAR/131129888

I'd really like to know what he thinks of the DW12 compared to a Reynard 99i or Lola B2K/00.

[Marcus666]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I'd really like to know what he thinks of the DW12 compared to a Reynard 99i or Lola B2K/00.

Exactly my thoughts! But also comparing it to the last F1 cars he drove (Mclaren MP4-20/MP4-21)!

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by bjohnsonsmith

I'd really like to know what he thinks of the DW12 compared to a Reynard 99i or Lola B2K/00.

Franchitti, Castroneves, Kanaan and Dixon would all be able to tell you that.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Originally Posted by Paradise City

Franchitti, Castroneves, Kanaan and Dixon would all be able to tell you that.

He's been out of the loop longer, so it would be interesting from that perspective.

[bjohnsonsmith]

Franchitti looking for Ganassi team role.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111696

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Anyone else reckon Fabio Leimer could get an Indycar seat?

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Anyone else reckon Fabio Leimer could get an Indycar seat?

I don’t think going to IndyCar would do much to help Leimer’s career until it becomes clear that he doesn’t have a chance to break into F1. Could he get an Indycar seat? Maybe, depending upon how much money he brings along. Most of the better seats are already spoken for and a number of drivers with Indycar experience are currently on the street looking for rides for next year.

[ace007]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Anyone else reckon Fabio Leimer could get an Indycar seat?

Would be interesting to see Leimer against Bird in the Ganassi shoot-out for the n10 car! Mix it with di Resta and why not the current Indylights champ Sage Karam and you have a super mediatic build-up that could even help boost the series a bit!

[Peat]

Any one of the front half of the GP2/WSR grid could do alright in IndyCar. They could even get a lucky win on say a street-course due to the random nature of the yellows. They are all competent.

But what would a Leimer/Bird/(Aleshin) bring to the series (other than $$$)? Not alot.

[JacobP]

Mike Conway signs for all road courses with Ed Carpenter racing. He also signs as a Toyota LMP1 test and reserve driver.

http://sportscar365.com/wec/mike-con...eserve-driver/

It is nice to see talents like him in IndyCar, but I personally hope he eventually becomes a full-time LMP1 driver. He can do well on IndyCar road and street courses, but he is never going to win the top prizes or championships since he is not racing on the ovals.

[Formulahistory]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

I don’t think going to IndyCar would do much to help Leimer’s career until it becomes clear that he doesn’t have a chance to break into F1. Could he get an Indycar seat? Maybe, depending upon how much money he brings along. Most of the better seats are already spoken for and a number of drivers with Indycar experience are currently on the street looking for rides for next year.

Leimer has no chance for a F1 seat.

[ace007]

Originally Posted by Peat

Any one of the front half of the GP2/WSR grid could do alright in IndyCar. They could even get a lucky win on say a street-course due to the random nature of the yellows. They are all competent.

But what would a Leimer/Bird/(Aleshin) bring to the series (other than $$$)? Not alot.

The fact that you put Bird or Leimer next to Aleshin indicates a certain lack of discernment or awareness of the drivers we are talking about. Aleshin will never bring anything else than $$. Same as Jakes, Saavedra or Viso for example.

With the other two, you will push the limits further at the front very quickly. With Bird, you have a very articulate racer who can represent/endorse any brands professionally while rebuilding the potential interest in Europe.

[Peat]

You are too weird.

Or you are Sam Bird.

Either way, it's creeping me out.