Welcome to the RACER Mailbag. Questions for any of RACER’s writers might be despatched to mailbag@racer.com. We love listening to your feedback and opinions, however letters that embody a query usually tend to be printed. Questions obtained after 3pm ET every Monday shall be saved for the next week.
Q: Did Will Energy himself actually determine it was time to make a change from the group the place he has had excellent success?
Mike Talarico, Charlotte, NC
MARSHALL PRUETT: Will did as many high-value free brokers have executed and ask for precisely what he desires, which on this case was an extended runway with Group Penske, then held agency to that ask, and rejected a lesser provide. So sure, he did flip down the provide, as a result of what was supplied didn’t align with what he wished.
It’s a basic ploy, proper? When you don’t need somebody to do one thing for you, provide them what they don’t need… and so they are inclined to go away.
Energy had one thing higher within the works with Andretti and, as RACER’s David Malsher-Lopez wrote, didn’t waste his time with what Penske wished to formally current him with in a contract signing.
Feeling wished is a vital factor, and this grew to become a wedding that ran its course. A minimum of from the Penske aspect. Energy was keenly taken with maintaining it collectively and tried and preserve the connection however the people answerable for the group – earlier than and after the firings in Could – had been chilly to the idea. It’s their loss, however life strikes on.
Q: Right here I’m sitting at my work desk and the Willy P announcement simply dropped. As a lot as I attempt to be OK with this, I have to admit, I’m not.
I do know that Will is within the latter a part of his profession however I nonetheless hate seeing the opportunity of it being actually near the tip. The half that isn’t making sense to me is the half the place Will is Penske’s newest champion, and he’s additionally nonetheless able to successful. So what am I lacking? In my thoughts it’s a no-brainer to maintain him. What goes on behind closed doorways with these choices that common people like me aren’t in a position to see? In my thoughts I’d suppose you’d need to maintain your champion round, however clearly what I believe and the way enterprise works do not appear to correlate.
Mike, Rawlins, WY
MP: I’m reminded of Roger Penske’s decades-long reference to his workers as “human capital.” Considered a method, it’s a heat expression of worth for the individuals who comprise Group Penske, and on this case, their innate worth, like belongings, like cash.
After which there’s the chilly interpretation of describing individuals – flesh and bone – as human capital, like value-based commodities to maintain, commerce, or launch, based mostly on their skill to generate revenue or another type of price.
Clearly, Group Penske arrived on the conclusion that as an asset, Energy’s worth had declined and he was not price maintaining within the portfolio. Your query, which is identical I raised right here within the Mailbag for final month or two, is identical: How can Penske devalue Energy’s price to this diploma?
If Energy was a buying and selling card despatched into PSA for grading, I don’t suppose he’d get a ten, however you’d count on no less than an 8. The distinction right here is Penske’s grading of Energy is a 4, which is mindless.
Previous to the beginning of the season, once I interviewed former group president Tim Cindric about extending Energy’s contract, he talked about one thing about Will successful the Indy 500 as a scenario that might assure continuation. It blew my thoughts. It additionally supplied a deep perception into the standing of issues – Energy would wish to drag off a miracle to remain – that mentioned the local weather had turned somewhat frosty. And right here we’re, regardless of it making no sense, and the icy pre-season tackle the matter has come true.
It’s not misplaced on me that in 2025, a yr the place Group Penske bought extra flawed than proper with its determination making in IndyCar, it capped the season by making its largest blunder of all by undervaluing and jettisoning Energy.
I believe many people are accustomed to the selections from Group Penske being sharp and pushed by plain and customary sense we are able to all see. It’s once we can’t discover that logic the place we query ourselves – we have to be those lacking one thing – however the dealing with of Energy’s end-of-career part is a reminder that, like its most up-to-date season, this monolith is greater than able to entering into odd instructions.
Fundamental takeaway, nonetheless, is that this isn’t a mistake from their viewpoint; that is what they wished. That includes possession of the choice. So if it really works, we’ll have the most recent in an extended line of sturdy proof that I’m an fool. And if it doesn’t, properly, that shall be unhappy as a result of a struggling Group Penske doesn’t assist the sequence in any means that involves thoughts.
I need to see the titans of every sport beat the heck out of one another on the best way to settling the championship. Group Penske falling right into a state of irrelevance final season solely helped Palou and Ganassi to run away with the title earlier than we reached the midway level within the season, and that’s not good for the present.
Nonetheless. Malukas shall be quick and may win a race or two. No clue what occurred to McLaughlin final season, however based mostly on previous performances, he ought to be capable of return to type. There’s no means Newgarden can have three horrible seasons in a row, so I’m assured he’ll be a stronger contender for the championship. However… that’s all based mostly on the Group Penske we knew by way of 2024.
I don’t know the Group Penske we noticed in 2025, and with all the continuing adjustments contained in the group since Could, it’s onerous to foretell what’s going to emerge in 2026. Was 2025 an aberration? Aside from Palou’s skill to go for 4 titles in a row, I can’t consider any upcoming themes that shall be extra fascinating to comply with.
Will the actual Group Penske re-emerge from the shadows in 2026? Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: “The extra we’re in a position to take away our conventionality, the higher we shall be in having the ability to maintain the eye of primarily the younger era of followers who all the time have to be interested in one thing new.” That’s a quote from Stefano Domenicali in a current New York Occasions article. If that’s the mindset of the CEO of a motorsport that may be a juggernaut internationally and, more and more, within the U.S., you’d suppose a extra prosaic outfit like IndyCar can be making related observations. Bueller?
Tom Hinshaw, Santa Barbara, CA
MP: Newer individuals like newer issues. Older individuals like older issues. Wild stuff!
Q: As a brand new transplant to the Seattle space, I had an superior time attending the IndyCar race in Portland this yr. However given the small (however passionate!) crowd and past-their-prime amenities, I used to be unsurprised to see that each IndyCar and NASCAR are passing on Portland for 2026.
Barring some substantial funding in PIR, I’m holding out some hope that Circuit of the Northwest materializes as a viable different. They’ve a slick web site with endorsements from Zak Brown and Don Cusick amongst others, however native information right here makes it sound like they’re nonetheless brief on funding.
Have you ever heard something by way of the grapevine about how stable their plans are?
Brad
MP: I met one of many Northwest monitor leaders final yr at a significant occasion, but it surely wasn’t an IndyCar race. I’ll verify in and see if something noteworthy emerges. As a crew member, I bought to race on the Kent highway course a few occasions when it hosted SCCA Professional Racing occasions (Method Atlantic and whatnot again within the day) and it was superior. Superb state, and I’d like to see IndyCar, IMSA, and others have a purpose to go racing in Washington.
Q: I grew up cheering for Rick Mears, and even after his retirement from driving I loved seeing his regular, smart presence on Group Penske on the monitor. ‘Tis an excellent disgrace that the emeritus driver function is not en vogue on the group.
A lifelong, now former Group Penske fan, when and the place can I order my new No. 26 DJ Willy P shirt and hat?
George, Colorado Springs, CO
MP: I’m not an enormous fan of Aaron Rogers, however I did love his response final weekend as the brand new quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers after beating the New York Jets, his former group which misplaced religion in his skills. From ESPN:
“There have been in all probability individuals within the group that did not suppose I may play anymore,” Rodgers, 41, mentioned after the sport. “So, it was good to remind these those that I nonetheless can.”
My first thought after listening to Rogers’ take was of DJ Willy P.
“I used to be glad to beat everyone related to the Jets,” he added.
Energy’s stepping right into a automobile that went winless final season, so there’s no ensures, but when that No. 26 Honda is succesful, he can certainly beat the individuals who misplaced religion.
Q: The IndyCar season was profitable. TV scores had been good and the long run is brilliant with FOX having pores and skin within the sport. Any thought when the 2026 race schedule shall be introduced? All different main racing sequence have supplied theirs.
Mike Hickman, Beech Grove, IN
MP: Apparent assertion, but when it had been shut, it might be right here, which tells me there’s quite a bit that’s nonetheless happening within the background. If it was only a case of going to all the identical locations, there can be no delay, in order that’s one other inform. Arlington’s introduced. Toronto shifting to Markham is introduced. It have to be one thing else that’s new and in want of great planning and finalizing that’s holding up the schedule.
I’ve had two individuals within the paddock say they’ve heard Mexico is on life help. May that be it? What about doing one thing in Washington D.C., which is claimed to be an idea from FOX Sports activities? The UFC occasion on the south garden of the White Home has been confirmed for June 2026 – no particular date, but – so may we see an IndyCar race round DC’s streets bundled for a similar weekend? If it occurs, it received’t be the primary time a major racing series has competed on the streets of the capitol.
In fact we would like the schedule ASAP, however I’m much less apprehensive about its arrival date and extra targeted on it being superior. And if that’s what the additional time brings, it may be late yearly.
Q: So with Energy going to Andretti, Herta going to F1/F2, and Malukas almost certainly to Penske, what are your predictions for the remainder of the sector? Will Lundqvist get a drive, and can PREMA stick round?
Dino, New Hanover, PA
MP: Linus is on the brief checklist at Coyne and Juncos Hollinger. He’s the perfect free agent in the marketplace, and by free agent, I imply a driver who isn’t already dedicated to a group, like Malukas, regardless of the shortage of public affirmation.
We’re solely per week or so out from the finale, and whereas PREMA isn’t talking, I’ve heard there’s been some – however not a ton – of outreaches from group members in search of work at others groups. If the ship was sinking quick, I’d count on to listen to of mass calls to seek out new properties.
Q: What was the worst racing sequence of all time? For me, it was the outdated NASCAR Sportsman Division that ran on the Charlotte Motor Speedway and Pocono Raceway within the early to mid-Nineteen Nineties.
It was only a bunch of weekend brief monitor drivers in outdated Winston Cup (on the time) gear and in addition recognized for its dangerous wrecks and deadly crashes.
Kurt Perleberg
MP: I can’t consider a single sequence I’ve adopted that was all the time rubbish. Eras, although, for certain. The primary yr(s) of the Indy Racing League had been painful to observe, but additionally had some thrills. My go-to, although, had been the childhood of Grand-Am’s Daytona Prototype method. The ugliest vehicles possible, sluggish as hell, and no one confirmed as much as watch. However, the low-buck method additionally made it doable for a ton of groups to step into the sequence – Mike Shank being certainly one of them – and go on to greater issues.
Yikes. Chris McGrath/Getty Pictures
Q: On condition that drivers can regulate brake bias, entrance and rear suspension, have P2P and use of hybrid power, is there any explicit purpose why they aren’t allowed to regulate entrance and rear wing angles from the cockpit?
Phil
MP: I’ll assume you imply IndyCar, and in that case, the reply is easy: As a result of the sequence chooses to not permit it. I want there was a deeper reply, but it surely’s the identical purpose we don’t have see-through bodywork or engines that run on vodka. These are each potentialities, however no one within the sequence has determined they have to occur, so that they haven’t.
Q: You do not have a season like Dennis Hauger did and never have a path ahead. So, any information, rumors, ridiculous situations?
John B, Waukesha, WI
MP: Simply what I wrote about within the last silly season update.
Q: My feedback come as an IndyCar-first fan. It’s my favourite type of motorsports. I additionally like Method 1.
Certainly one of my biggest motorsports reminiscences was strolling across the CART paddock and seeing a bunch of followers and drivers huddled round a TV watching a Method 1 qualifying session. All people burst into celebration when Jaques Villeneuve put his automobile on the pole.
As a Colton Herta fan I would love nothing greater than see him in F1, and if it takes him taking a step again to F2, so be it. I would like an American to root for in F1, and I would like an American that we watch and know to root for in F1. I would like Colton Herta in F1. If he goes to F2 in 2026, he shall be in F1 the next yr.
As an American F1 fan I have been ready for this second. Do it, Colton! Do it for me.
Mark, Buffalo, NY
MP: As a self-avowed glass-half-full kind, I’m struggling to seek out the positives. I is likely to be within the minority right here, however I’ve no enthusiasm for this transfer.
Colton leaves IndyCar on a down yr when, for the primary time since he arrived within the Harding/Andretti group, he was demoted to P2 by a teammate, and never by somewhat, however regularly by Kirkwood. He was Andretti’s greatest driver final yr, however the roles reversed as Kirkwood was the group’s solely winner in 2025 and took fourth within the standings to Colton’s seventh.
Based mostly strictly on outcomes, if TWG Motorsports wished to ship its greatest American to F1, Kirkwood can be packing up his belongings and making ready to maneuver to Europe.
I don’t know if Herta misplaced some motivation in his seventh full season of IndyCar, but when so, it wouldn’t be distinctive or one thing to warrant criticism. Most athletes hit that wall sooner or later – and greater than as soon as for these with actually lengthy careers – so if that’s a think about how the fierce and locked-in Herta of 2024 who positioned second to Palou was barely much less efficient in 2025, a change of surroundings with racing in F2 and F1 take a look at driving might be the treatment.
Nice man. Nice household. Such as you, I’m hoping the whole lot good involves go for him within the coming years. However for now, I can’t shake the springboard being a comparatively quiet yr in IndyCar. I want this was occurring on the finish of 2024 when he was the most popular driver (not named Palou) within the sequence.
Fingers crossed this transfer brings a return of the scary-fast Herta who torched his rivals at will and who had F1 groups tripping over themselves to supply improvement contracts just a few years in the past when he examined for McLaren.
If this grand plan brings that model of Herta again to the world, we’ll all be rejoicing.
Q: Effectively that sucks for Roger Penske that Will Energy determined to give up and transfer on to a different group… Did Will overplay his hand by hiring the big-time agent originally of the season?
Brian, Ohio
MP: Proof constructive that everyone sees issues in their very own distinctive means.
Q: What the hell is Penske pondering? Positively an odd yr for Penske, and far of that oddness got here from inside the not-so-rule-following space of the group. I like Lil’ Dave however possibly he wants yet one more yr at Foyt to actually transfer the needle. He was actually beginning to impress towards the tip of the season. Another season to again it up and possibly get a podium or a win would’ve been good to see.
Additionally, I do know final yr I made a remark relating to Kyffin Simpson and also you mentioned to provide him one other yr. I am going to give credit score the place credit score is due, he did impress right here and there however on the finish of the season twenty first (from final yr) to seventeenth within the standings, I nonetheless stay unimpressed.
Not that Stefan Johansson
MP: So what if I requested you to provide him one other yr…
Kidding apart, I hear you, however I additionally have a look at him and see six top-10 finishes together with a fourth on an oval (Nashville), a 3rd at Toronto, and a fifth at Detroit – two avenue programs the place an absence of expertise tends to be uncovered by hitting partitions or different drivers – the place he did the alternative of what you may count on from a sophomore. And he didn’t simply maintain the automobile off the partitions; he was quick and sensible.
So, to your higher level, sure, P17 isn’t outstanding. However then I look and see he was simply 11 factors behind Santino Ferrucci in a Foyt-Penske entry, and 15 factors behind Alexander Rossi, and I don’t really feel as dangerous about Simpson’s yearlong output.
His third yr in IndyCar will reply the larger query of what sort of future he’ll have. When his teammates end first and third within the championship, and their technical associates at Meyer Shank place sixth and eighth, there’s a purpose to be underwhelmed by 17th in a automobile that may place inside the highest 10. In order that’s the sizable year-to-year aim. Crack the highest 10 in 2026.
It received’t be straightforward, however the excuses of youth and inexperience are a lot more durable to make in a driver’s third yr whereas piloting a automobile for the group that’s received 5 out of the final six championships. In 2025, we realized Kyffin has actual expertise, and it was expressed sporadically. That’s the story for many IndyCar drivers.
Out of 17 possibilities, the bulk come near hitting the bullseye two or thrice, possibly 4, and that’s about it. That’s what Simpson did. If that turns into six to eight subsequent yr, he’s among the many elite and has a high 10 yr. If it doesn’t occur, we’ll know he’s destined for a mid-pack profession.
Watch this area. Travis Hinkle/IMS
Q: By the point this will get to you, all the Colton Herta information might lastly be out of the bag. However my query is, why not simply make him the Cadillac reserve driver subsequent yr and provides him the 4 FP1s he must make his Tremendous License? One other racing journalist says that is doable. This might make much more sense than sending him to F2, the place he’s unlikely to win whereas coping with vehicles, tires and tracks he would not know.
I can also’t stand how a lot noise there shall be from the F1 superiority toadies who will use that as proof that IndyCar is certainly lesser. Assuming Checo and Valtteri are on multi-year offers, this raises an issue of what occurs to Colton in 2027, however I see that because the case even when he goes to F2 and wins.
Relating to FOX Sports activities shopping for in, I am excited concerning the many potentialities and I see the NASCAR crossovers which are already occurring as extraordinarily invaluable for getting extra publicity. What I actually need to see is for them to shed the concern of the NFL and develop the schedule into the autumn. Am I flawed in pondering there is a chance right here to schedule some races for straight after an NFL sport on FOX to benefit from that lead-in?
Adam, Simi Valley, CA
MP: Per RACER’s Chris Medland, Herta wants six factors, not 4. When you’re going to organize somebody to race in a brand new and completely different sequence, I can’t discover the knowledge in having them skip racing in favor of sporadically driving the automobile a handful of occasions in single follow periods. As a lot as I hate the look of a nine-time IndyCar race winner needing to race in F2, it does tick a whole lot of containers by maintaining Herta in competitors, whereas studying some tracks for the primary time, and getting him attuned to the European means of motor racing. What he skilled racing in Europe whereas in his teenagers was solely a style of the variations.
There’s no “concern” of the NFL. It’s a reality, a horrible determination that’s been totally confirmed with viewers sizes that talk to how the NFL is the one factor that issues when IndyCar is an choice. And that was when IndyCar wasn’t on FOX. Now it’s on the channel that cares extra concerning the NFL than any of its rivals.
FOX opens its Sundays with pre-game reveals, then airs morning and afternoon video games. After which Sunday night time Soccer takes over, aka, probably the most seen broadcasts of any form every week, on NBC. But when there’s a two-hour window for IndyCar races in there that don’t begin at 6am or 11pm, I’m all for it.
Q: How do you learn the press launch from Penske? Did Energy leap or was he pushed? I can solely see two potentialities. 1) He was pushed, however as you’d count on, it’s being executed with a whole lot of respect and graciousness making it look extra like a choice. Or 2) He truly did make the choice to maneuver to Andretti as a result of he has presumably a multi-year deal and I can solely think about, should you take the press launch at face worth, he was supplied one closing yr at Penske.
Abraham Zimroth, Staten Island, NY
MP: Right here’s a professional tip: If you wish to learn issues which are insightful, academic, trustworthy, or entertaining, go forward and ignore the quotes in newsy press releases. They’re principally written by PR reps, and generally have the approval of the individuals the feedback are connected to.
On the media aspect, the fabricated quotes or bleached quotes – sanitized to satisfy the specified message or tone – are sometimes all we get till the individual or individuals in query are keen to talk straight, and on this occasion, that wasn’t supplied.
Q: Here is a query that I am certain others are in all probability questioning too. With Energy now shifting to Andretti for 2026 and past, do you suppose it is doable they herald Tim Cindric to pair with Will as soon as once more?
Paul, Lake In The Hills, IL
MP: I’d suppose Cindric may need a say in whether or not this might be doable. If it him, it might be a superb transfer by the group.
Aside from recruiting Ganassi’s Mike Hull, there’s no one else with a extra spectacular report of IndyCar wins and championships this century than Cindric, and based mostly on Andretti’s report of routinely developing brief to Ganassi, Penske, and now Arrow McLaren, there’s a robust case to be made that one thing greater than a driver change shall be required to vie for greater spoils. Sure, it’s driver vs driver, however in actuality, it’s group vs group, and that’s the place the main variations are discovered.
Energy is an incredible rent who will make the group higher, however the group behind the drivers must make large strides to catch Arrow McLaren and Ganassi.
Q: My query about Will Energy going to Andretti is, will Energy have any drives with their GTP group within the enduros? Has he pushed high stage sports activities vehicles earlier than? And if he does, do you suppose he’ll be an absolute monster in these vehicles?
Kyle, MA
MP: He’s wished to go sports activities automobile racing eternally, however Penske wouldn’t permit it, in accordance with the numerous occasions I requested Will. The WTR group is likely to be owned by TWG, but it surely’s not Andretti’s group; it’s a full manufacturing unit Cadillac program the place all the drivers are chosen by WTR, not Andretti, and chosen by Cadillac. To that finish, Energy’s now a Honda driver in IndyCar.
Simply as we haven’t seen any of Andretti’s Honda-powered IndyCar drivers within the WTR Cadillac line-up this yr, I wouldn’t count on a now-former GM driver to get requested to drive a GTP automobile he’s by no means raced for a manufacturing unit group that opposes the model he now represents in IndyCar. However possibly Acura will prolong an invitation for Energy to check with Meyer Shank Racing.
Palou was meant to be in a manufacturing unit Acura/MSR automobile for Petit Le Mans, however I’m informed he needed to decline with the McLaren lawsuit coming to a head, and Herta was the opposite candidate, however can also be mentioned to have turned it down with the upcoming rerouting to Europe.
This seems like time to run a shot of Will Energy driving an F1 automobile. James Moy/Getty Pictures
Q: I’ve been studying the cruel phrases and ideas hurled at Group Penske for the scenario with Will Energy and I wished to offer an opposing viewpoint
First, Energy continues to be a superb driver, and I consider he shall be profitable with Andretti World.
What I consider has occurred is a coming collectively of many issues the place this finally ends up being the perfect determination for all concerned. Sports activities historical past his proven us this earlier than, the place groups’ long-time stars usually are not part of the long-term future and sadly robust choices must be made. Look to the Cubs, buying and selling stars from the 2016 World Collection group which netted the present youth which has helped the group be resurgent.
That is what I consider we’re seeing at Group Penske. Group Penske is just not saying David Malukas is best than Will Energy. They understand that Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin might be there for the following 10-12 years, Will would have been just a few extra years. With an entire administration overhaul and extra coming (based mostly on Diuguid’s quotes), they wish to refresh with a driver who they’ll see in a seat for a similar size or longer than Josef or Scott. Construct a bunch of drivers along with the brand new group construction as a unit. Jonathan Diuguid has executed an incredible job increase the IMSA and WEC groups from scratch, couldn’t he do the identical with the IndyCar aspect, the place they’ve an excellent historical past and nice group members?
Once more, whereas Will may have been useful there, possibly the group ought to have to seek out their footing with all the items in place from the beginning. There shall be rising pains, however based mostly on historical past I consider Group Penske will discover their footing and be again combating for championships.
Brad, Yorktown, IN
MP: It’s an fascinating take, Brad. Stated right here many occasions that Will clearly wasn’t the group’s future, past doing just a few extra years, or nonetheless lengthy it went. This was clear for all to see.
But when we’re speaking about feeling a have to do a refresh, the dialog ought to be about what wants freshening, not what’s outdated. If the outdated factor was additionally the stale factor, that’s the merchandise to prune and toss. However Will doesn’t match that standards.
By sheer outcomes, Energy has been Group Penske’s freshest driver lately. He additionally occurs to be the oldest. These two issues can co-exist, if allowed. Penske selected towards permitting it.
Scott Dixon, IndyCar’s oldest driver at 45, simply completed third within the standings. He was nowhere near matching Palou, however he nonetheless received a race and proved to be the third-best IndyCar driver of 2025, but solely the second greatest on his group. And Ganassi is in no rush to farewell Dixon.
Hell, utilizing Group Penske’s math, each driver not named Palou ought to be fired; O’Ward, the closest driver to Palou, ended the yr 196 factors all the way down to the championship winner. For the sake of context, the hole between first and second within the standings was greater than Sting Ray Robb earned for your entire season (181).
Preventing to make sense of that is not price our time. It’s executed. Energy’s moved to his new group. Penske has precisely what it desires. Let’s reconvene in a yr and see if the change was a genius transfer or if it backfired.
Q: Effectively, as odd as it could be in our present age, Mario Andretti did transfer to F5000 to boost his F1 possibilities. Appeared to work properly contemplating he grew to become 1978 F1 champ. The scenario isn’t an identical, however it’s related. Plus Colton must get the Tremendous License factors. The sport plan nonetheless pursues Michael Andretti’s want of getting a U.S. group in F1 and Colton as one of many drivers. Good Luck to Colton and Will Energy subsequent yr. I nonetheless need to see Colton at Indy on Memorial Day weekend and never standing within the Cadillac storage with earphones on.
Skip R., South Carolina
MP: Mario’s first F1 race was in 1968 with Lotus, the identical yr Method 5000 was launched as an SCCA class, so the timeline doesn’t work. Additionally, Mario by no means “moved” to F5000; it was certainly one of three to 4 sequence he raced in on the identical time, together with IndyCar, F1 and sports activities vehicles.
Q: I admit that I am an old-fashioned Foyt/Indy fan and despise all issues Penske. Newgarden/Castroneves play and performed characters for the digital camera. Not Energy. I respect expertise and honesty, and hope he dominates that Andretti Galaxy Common Interstellar comedy group. Recommendation for Malukas: Get able to hate your life.
David Monnett
MP: I picked the flawed week to cease sniffing glue.
Q: I believe the massive, unanswered query this week is whether or not Will Energy takes Colton’s seat behind the drums for The Zibs.
Ed, Jersey
MP: I’m informed The Zibs are going to play at COTA F1 this yr.
Q: I observed with the Pato O’Ward and Callum Hedges crashes that it appeared the entrance suspension entered the bathtub – just like Hinch’s crash. Did I see that appropriately? I assumed IndyCar had mounted it. Undecided about NXT.
Right here is a YouTube video of Hedges’ crash.
One different level, I’ve been a Penske fan for the reason that Mark Donohue days. The way in which Will Energy was dealt with was disappointing. Positively not Penske Excellent. I’d count on the group to have extra class and never depart Will hanging within the breeze whereas they had been making a choice. I perceive it’s a enterprise, however this was only a lack of sophistication and respect. Not search for Penske particularly in any case the problems they’ve had this yr.
What say you?
Wally, Eden Prairie, MN
MP: I’m in search of the half the place the suspension enters the bathtub, since there was nothing proven to help that declare. Do you imply the suspension was flattened towards the bathtub?
Q: So, Will goes to Andretti and swaps a Chevy for a Honda and brings every kind of little tidbits of Penske data with him. I believe he’ll be quick proper off the trailer and in rivalry each race. Malukas goes to Penske swapping a Chevy for a Chevy, however I believe there shall be a Penske curve to be taught and he’ll mess up earlier than settling in. VeeKay goes to Foyt, swapping a Honda for a Chevy, and with the Penske/Foyt collaboration simply picks up the place he left off. Quick.
Attention-grabbing to see who sits in Dale’s two seats.
Your ideas?
Jeff, Colorado, relying on a Denver race in ’27
MP: Already coated a whole lot of this in tales final week, so the one new merchandise I’ll add is that this: Malukas managed to complete 11th within the championship with a pit crew that wasn’t overly burdened with pace and consistency.
Among the many 27 entries, David’s No. 4 Foyt crew ranked 19th in pit cease efficiency. He’s headed to a No. 12 Penske automobile that ranked fifth on pit lane.
If he does nothing completely different in 2026, the improve in pit crew/pit stops alone would propel him inside the highest 10.
I guess he is taking a peek on the No. 12 pit crew. Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: With the schedule adjustments within the coming yr, primarily pondering the shift out of Toronto and the concentrate on avenue racing and bringing the racing to the followers, my query is ought to IndyCar contemplate a avenue race in or round Marion County?
It’s no secret that the largest pocket of IndyCar followers stay inside two hours of I465. In fact with the best racing venue on the earth current, possibly it doesn’t make a ton of sense. Nevertheless, somewhat than 40k-50k making IMS seem like a ghost city earlier than the five hundred, why not shift to a Labor Day weekend race in one of many suburbs of Indy or simply go downtown for a avenue race?
I’m picturing one thing round one of many new sports activities/live performance venues in Hamilton County. I think about with the correct promotion and possibly just a few concert events staged across the weekend you could possibly simply draw 100k+ for the weekend. The Hamilton County Sports activities Authority appears destined to carry extra to the county and there’s no scarcity of companies that might become involved and reap the advantages. Maybe I’ve already answered my query with the presence of IMS.
Kaleb Hartman
MP: It’s an fascinating thought, Kaleb. Undecided IndyCar/IMS need to create an area rival occasion, however to your level, the Indy GP has by no means taken off, nor has it felt like greater than a schedule filler. If the thought is to make IndyCar appear and feel particular always, I’d be all for experimenting with an area avenue race if there’s a solution to make it a hit with out risking a discount in attendance for the five hundred.
Q: I do know Colton Herta is chasing his dream, and I respect that. However is not taking place to F2 making IndyCar look even worse?
I do not argue towards the Tremendous License. I even agree with it from a enterprise aspect. F1 wished to guard its ladder system, and there’s nothing flawed with that. I simply want they’d take IndyCar extra severely. However is IndyCar taking itself severely sufficient?
You should not want factors to be in F1 if you’re ok in IndyCar. And that ought to occur as a result of IndyCar is an expert sequence with a whole lot of expertise in it. However that might require a greater automobile, would not it? One thing that is smart for a F1 group and for F1 itself given the talents wanted to seek out the pace window at such excessive tempo.
I keep in mind studying some F1 drivers saying {that a} Testing of Earlier Automobile program with any fashionable F1 automobile is best than a season in F2. So why would not IndyCar design a automobile that’s inside 5 seconds of F1 tempo? That might be round 2009-13 F1 rule cycle tempo. Being a spec sequence offers a whole lot of freedom to decide on your tempo.
Engine energy is already virtually there. Additionally they had a KERS system. The burden would wish to go down by quite a bit which suggests lighter, extra fragile elements. However then drivers simply have to cease driving like they’re in Cup vehicles. And that might be a plus for F1 to take IndyCar drivers extra severely. Homegrown IndyCar drivers can be extra revered, and the weak F1 names would have much less possibilities of discovering seats in IndyCar. Each contribute for a extra constructive view of IndyCar.
I do know this brings an issue on the ovals. However cannot they actually maintain the present stuff for ovals (with a brand new aero)? If you purchase a brand new automobile, you additionally purchase the oval elements. When you crash a bathtub or another elements in an oval, you want new ones. Would not maintaining it give the identical prices ultimately (or much less if the highway course automobile finally ends up cheaper)? All groups already personal these. And with time, the charters will lower the variety of groups attempting to affix. From a viewership aspect, it is clear the Indy 500 is not struggling as a result of it has an outdated automobile. So, cannot or not it’s executed?
In fact, IndyCar may simply say “we do not give a **** about what different individuals suppose” and maintain doing their very own factor. On this case, I want F1 would flip F2 into one thing like Moto2. A much bigger sequence, nearer in tempo to F1, extra like its personal world championship with skilled drivers making a residing there, going to F1 when known as. If that was the case, Herta going there would make extra sense.
William Mazeo
MP: I proceed to dream of a day the place individuals settle for IndyCar as its personal factor, which existed earlier than F1, and doesn’t have to contort itself to be extra like F1, or to attraction or earn respect of supposed F1 followers or groups or drivers.
Q: Relating to the query of why Nashville is known as a superspeedway. The Nashville fairgrounds is known as Nashville Speedway, so that they needed to name it one thing else. Sometimes a superspeedway is 2 or extra miles in size.
Joe Mullins
MP: Sure.
Q: NASCAR used to name something over a mile a superspeedway. I consider when Dover Downs constructed the brand new monitor they wished to make certain it wasn’t confused with the Fairgrounds, which was known as Nashville Speedway for a time. So therefore the title Nashville Superspeedway. Go to the Fairgrounds .596 after which to the 1.33, and it does look enormous.
Ricky, Tennessee
MP: Possibly we simply want to interrupt free from “tremendous” and go along with Awesomespeedway, Excellentspeedway, or Greatspeedway.
Q: Prior to now few years there’s been a clamoring for merely adapting IMSA GTP engines to IndyCar, with the dream of Acura, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche, Lamborghini, et al., bringing model competitors, and Win on Sunday, Promote on Monday advertising and marketing {dollars} to the sequence.
Sadly, dimension issues. Sports activities automobile hybrid energy models had been too large for the DW12. simply as they are going to be for the following era Dallara chassis that IndyCar shall be utilizing.
So why not four-bangers? Is it a notion drawback? A sound situation? The Offy dominated Champ Automobile racing for many years, getting its first win on the Indy 500 in 1935, and choosing up its final at Trenton in 1978. I do not recall any complaints concerning the scream it produced, in both usually aspirated, supercharged, or turbocharged type.
In 1983 Nelson Piquet received the F1 championship with a 1500cc BMW M12 four-cylinder engine powering his Brabham. It supposedly pumped out over 1400hp in qualifying, and 1000hp in race trim. This engine was additionally utilized by the ATS, Benetton, Arrows, and Ligier groups within the mid-Nineteen Eighties.
Brian Hart constructed the four-cylinder engine that launched Toleman’s Ayrton Senna to the world (and Alain Prost) within the rain at Monaco. A.J. Foyt set a closed course pace report in 1987, driving what was basically a March IndyCar chassis with a swoopy, long-tail physique powered by a closely modified four-cylinder Oldsmobile Quad 4.
Zakspeed constructed a turbo variant of the Ford Cosworth BDA four-cylinder engine for sports activities automobile racing in 1982, and Dan Gurney’s AAR Eagle MKIII vehicles had been so dominant within the early ’90s IMSA Camel GT sequence that Nissan and Jaguar give up racing.
Each main producer makes vehicles with four-cylinder engines, and so they can all construct engines that might match the facility/dimension/reliability invoice (even when the dreaded and value-iffy hybrid programs must be retained). The trick can be developing with the regs and rule ebook that might appeal to participation. Is that this a bridge too far for IndyCar?
Invoice Tybur, Tempe, AZ
MP: Plenty of superb examples, Invoice, with the latest being 32 years outdated.
Mazda is the one fashionable producer to pick out a four-cylinder turbo for its large program with the IMSA DPi marketing campaign that began in 2017, and it took years and untold thousands and thousands to get the issues to maintain from exploding. As soon as reliability was discovered, the Mazda RT24-Ps grew to become severe contenders for infrequent wins, however by no means eclipsed the twin-turbo V6 Acuras or naturally aspirated Cadillac V8s.
The reply to your query is producers have plenty of enter on what does and doesn’t curiosity them, and with IndyCar’s engine guidelines, no one I do know of requested for a four-cylinder. If it’s what they wished, we’d have them within the vehicles immediately or being construct for the following automobile. However that isn’t occurring, in order that’s the message to obtain.
4 cylinders, many complications. Richard Dole/IMSA
Q: The problem I’ve with the “second seat at Pink Bull is a nasty seat” concept is that you simply would not count on a rookie on any group to be that shut in efficiency to a champion teammate that’s totally built-in into the group.
Is there an opportunity the automobile is okay, Gasly, Lawson and Albon had been too younger, Perez grew outdated in 2024, and Yuki simply is not a match for Max?
What number of drivers on the grid would you count on to be a match vs Verstappen over a full season?
Will, Indy
CHRIS MEDLAND: There’s two features to this, Will, and coping with the second query first, I don’t count on any to be a complete match for Verstappen over a full season. However I believe a few of the perfect would run him fairly shut at many races and beat him just a few occasions.
When it comes to the drivers you checklist, I believe when it’s important to counsel three completely different causes for 5 completely different – high-quality – drivers not performing, and it’s extraordinarily unlikely. The frequent denominator is the seat, not the driving force. Perez, for instance, was solely 34 final yr, that’s actually not outdated in F1 phrases.
I do suppose all three of Gasly, Lawson and Albon had been rushed by way of too quickly, however Albon additionally hit the bottom working pretty properly initially, and it was in his second season that he struggled extra. It reveals that younger drivers do have the potential to carry out if the automobile is working to their liking.
And in some ways Yuki was the proper candidate – loads of expertise on the junior group, nonetheless younger, and really fast. And his outcomes have been similar to what we’d been seeing from Checo late final yr, and I think about Liam if he’d stayed within the seat.
Max papers over the cracks as a result of he is that good, however he would additionally carry out brilliantly in a automobile that was extra compliant to different drivers, too, and that might give Pink Bull a greater likelihood in each championships.
Q: I can’t perceive why Colton Herta, who has been racing IndyCars for years, doesn’t qualify for a Tremendous License whereas Kimi Antonelli earned sufficient factors to qualify when he was solely 18? Assist an outdated man perceive.
Terry
CM: The FIA Tremendous License was designed to stop pay drivers shopping for a seat with out the required outcomes to again it up – basically aiming for a minimal stage of efficiency. It additionally then allowed the FIA to create a transparent pathway to organize drivers for F1 by way of F4, Method Regional (FR), F3 and F2.
With the FIA having full management over the laws of these single-seater championships, they’ll ensure they’re best-suited as a ladder in direction of F1, and subsequently have given them extra Tremendous License factors than different sequence that they don’t have jurisdiction over (comparable to IndyCar).
IndyCar is strongly acknowledged – except for F2 it’s the solely class that provides the total 40 Tremendous License factors to the champion – however the factors cut back from there, whereas should you win a few of the single-seater championships below the FIA’s remit – F4, FR, F3 or F2 – you rating good factors.
Antonelli received the Italian F4, German F4 (each price 12 factors), FR Center East (18 factors) and FR European (25 factors) championships throughout two seasons to earn his Tremendous License, whereas a high six in F2 was additionally price an extra 10 factors. Constant outcomes on the ladder meant he reached the full.
Colton has all the time been shut because of P2 within the IndyCar standings in 2024 (30 factors) however P10 in 2023 (1 level) and P7 this yr (4 factors) depart him simply brief. A high 4 within the standings this yr would have earned him sufficient factors, so he wasn’t far-off in any respect.
Q: The lopsidedness of the FIA Tremendous License system was very a lot within the information this week. What, if something, is ACCUS doing to treatment this example and why hasn’t something seemingly been executed previously? With three F1 races within the U.S., the FIA ought to be extra accommodating.
David, Waxhaw, NC
CM: I’m unsure the variety of F1 races within the U.S. ought to have something to do with the Tremendous License system, however I do agree that IndyCar ought to obtain extra factors. I can partly see the argument of solely providing a full Tremendous License to the champion, however the pace by which the factors drop away from there (30 for P2, 20 for P3, 10 for P4, 8 for P5, 6 for P6, 4 for P7, 3 for P8, 2 for P9 and 1 for P10) is the problem for me.
When you end high 5 in back-to-back IndyCar seasons that’s very spectacular, and never a one-off end result, but it would solely yield 16 factors. There’s even a situation you are able to do three consecutive years within the high six and never even be midway to the factors complete, which is ridiculous.
However ACCUS is all the time combating a little bit of a dropping battle, as IndyCar must be true to its roots and ship the championship it desires. By that I imply the laws, the racing guidelines, the tracks used (comparable to Superspeedways or old-school highway programs) that may not essentially meet FIA standards for F1.
That’s why the FIA-led championships – F4, Method Regional, F3 and F2 – obtain sturdy weighting, as a result of lots of them are sequence which are tailor-made to organize drivers for F1, and race on the identical tracks and so forth.
IndyCar is just not a feeder sequence for F1, whereas these championships are, and for them to stay that means then they should have probably the most factors. For instance, should you gave IndyCar the identical factors as F2, then junior drivers would have a option to make and extra may chase an IndyCar seat as a stepping stone, which may cut back the standard in F2 but additionally arguably devalue IndyCar as not the top-level finish level it ought to be.
When Herta was checked out by Pink Bull two years in the past, I do know the FIA and ACCUS had mentioned Tremendous License factors pretty just lately, and I consider it’s continually below overview to verify the stability is deemed to be right for each side of the Atlantic. Herta’s deliberate transfer for F2 may carry that again into perspective shifting ahead.
Herta has introduced the problem of Tremendous License factors score again into focus. Joe Skibinski/IMS
Q: I’ve observed just lately that there was a whole lot of promoting for the Las Vegas GP across the different F1 tracks. Are they having hassle promoting tickets? Is the race at risk after the present contract is up? Inquiring minds need to know!
Andy, Chicagoland
CM: Nope, that’s one thing that has all the time been the case as a result of the Las Vegas GP is an F1-owned and promoted occasion, so F1 itself makes use of the platform of different races to promote it. For different races, it’s an exterior promoter paying F1 for the flexibility to host a race, so F1 has already made its cash from these and doesn’t must do the promotion itself (no less than, to not the identical extent).
I do know that the ticket gross sales method was modified a yr in the past to attempt to provide extra GA tickets over hospitality in comparison with the primary yr, and that ensured the attendance drop-off was minimal from yr one (315,000) to yr two (306,000). If they’re to see a dip, then new races historically discover it in years two and three, so I wouldn’t be shocked to see a flatline or slight lower once more this yr, however haven’t heard of any main issues at this level.
As for the present contract, it’s truly the ultimate yr of the unique deal, however with a 10-year settlement in place with the town to proceed. I truly requested a supply about that this weekend in Monza, and was informed it was unlikely {that a} full extension would ever be confirmed, however that two-to-three yr agreements can be accepted with the town and resorts concerned, with the potential in future for promotion to be handed over to an area entity in the event that they noticed the worth.
Q: How doubtless do you suppose it’s that come contract renewal time, one of many McLaren F1 drivers decides to depart? I’m pondering that the following time the contract of certainly one of them is prolonged, the opposite will begin in search of a seat at one other high group and sure discover it. What are your ideas, and are you aware when their contracts expire?
Ed Joras
CM: The present offers for Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri run till the tip of 2026 and 2027 respectively, however it’s understood they’ve further clauses that might result in each working for a yr longer than that. Given the current type, it feels very doubtless that you simply’d see each in place as teammates till no less than the tip of 2027.
That would depart Norris needing an extra extension first, and by that time he would have raced for McLaren for 9 years, and by the tip of this season he would be the driver with probably the most grand prix begins for the group. So it’s conceivable he’d contemplate a brand new problem, however I believe that might almost certainly be pushed by the competitiveness of McLaren below the following set of laws.
Each would haven’t any scarcity of suitors, however the tradition being created round each drivers and the group is for the long run, with key personnel additionally on lengthy offers to attempt to maintain an period of success.
Q: Is Cadillac doing all its personal chassis work on the F1 automobile, or does it seek the advice of with Dallara or anybody else like Haas did? And when it turns into an engine builder in 2029, will or not it’s required to provide engines to different groups?
Chris
CM: Cadillac is doing all of its personal chassis work, though the manufacture of it at this stage has been dealt with externally because the group develops. Group principal Graeme Lowdon informed me earlier this yr that the chassis is designed in-house, all take a look at lay-ups are produced in-house, however closing chassis manufacture us outsourced to regular suppliers within the provide chain.
Every time its first energy unit is prepared, Cadillac will solely be required to probably provide an engine to a different group if a group doesn’t have an settlement in place at a sure deadline. A provide deal is then compelled on the producer with the fewest quantity of shoppers, however given the variety of suppliers from 2026 onwards – Audi and Honda may also solely be offering energy models for one group subsequent yr – it’s unlikely it might come to that.
Q: Some web site reported Mick Schumacher will get preferential remedy from Alpine in his contract. That features many of the new tires. How frequent is that in sports activities vehicles?
Additionally, would not that be dangerous for the group? I imply, I do not count on them to be greatest buddies. However three drivers share the automobile. Doing this sort of deal looks as if a nasty thought from technical and in addition from working surroundings level. It isn’t like Schumacher did something in his profession to deserve that.
William Mazeo
STEPHEN KILBEY: My understanding is that it is not frequent for drivers in sports activities vehicles to signal contracts that embody such a listing of particular necessities, comparable to new tires for each session, and so forth. Nevertheless, we do see parts of this throughout this space of the game, significantly in groups the place a number of drivers are funding this system.
As an illustration, a driver in a privateer Hypercar might have it written into his contract that he’s the one to do each qualifying session (as a result of it is a device used to get them noticed by a manufacturing unit), although this type of line merchandise might characteristic for higher-profile manufacturing unit drivers, too. Bronze-graded drivers in classes like LMGT3 are additionally prone to be handed all the brand new tires in follow and many of the monitor time. Nevertheless, that’s far much less prone to be contractual and as an alternative straight a strategic transfer in codecs the place the drive time for newbie drivers is so vital.
Generally, although, I might say it is uncommon for a driver to be granted such a set of benefits over teammates in a multi-driver line-up. Now I have never seen the contract with my very own eyes, however whether it is certainly true, then clearly Alpine and Mick Schumacher will need to have felt {that a} mixture of his expertise and marketability warranted such remedy.
Q: I believe the Jarno Trulli pics are pure gold. I met him earlier than the USGP in Indianapolis when he drove for Toyota. I spent most of time speaking with Cristiano da Matta (truly being the punchline for his jokes about my race cooler) and want I’d have snapped a pic of Jarno. Are you able to provide you with a Jarno pic from his Toyota years?
Steve Cox
MARK GLENDENNING: Positive. And since we have had a whole lot of enjoyable at his expense over time, let’s change tack and go along with certainly one of his spotlight moments – giving Toyota its last-ever F1 podium (on residence turf, no much less) with a second place on the 2009 Japanese GP.
THE FINAL WORD
From Robin Miller’s Mailbag, September 12, 2018
Q: Simply curious concerning the traditionally quickest vehicles and the way that “energy” translated to good racing – in different phrases, did it make it extra enjoyable to observe, and did the drivers like the facility?
Trey Kiel, Austin, TX
ROBIN MILLER: Bobby Unser all the time requested John “Mandrake” Miller for extra energy when he drove for Dan Gurney, and the three-time Indy 500 winner says 1,200hp was probably the most he ever noticed. A of drivers beloved all that enhance, however there have been heaps and many engine failures and the races weren’t all the time that good.
