Jump to content


Photo
* * * * * 1 votes

2015 IndyCar silly season


  • Please log in to reply
1855 replies to this topic

#1 HistoryFan

HistoryFan
  • Member

  • 7,813 posts
  • Joined: November 07

Posted 04 October 2014 - 12:03

It looks like there will be more full-time IndyCars on next year's gread. :clap:

 

Penske first time in history will drive with four cars: Power, Castroneves, Montoya and Pagenaud!

Ganassi will stay with four cars, Dixon, Kanaan and Kimball will stay, but perhaps Briscoe will leave the team for Karam.

Schmidt Peterson Hamilton will stay with two cars, in the first one with Aleshin if SMP could pay and in the second they will likely replace Pagenaud with Hinchcliffe

Andretti: Four cars are likely, three or five are possible. Hunter-Reay, Munoz and Andretti are safe, Hinchcliffe is leaving, perhaps Wilson or Abt or both will jumb in.

KVSH: Two cars are likely, perhaps there will be just one or even three cars. Bourdais is safe, perhaps Saavedra will stay, they also want to sign Hinchcliffe.

CFH: Two cars are likely, three are possible. Newgarden is safe, Carpenter will drive the oval tracks with Conway likely to return on the street circuits. Could also be Filippi, Hildebrand or Servià if Conway will be Toyota LMP1 driver. Hildebrand is working on a third car.

Dale Coyne: One or two cars: Wilson could leave, Huertas' plans are not known. They tested Gonzalez last week.

Herta: Hawksworth is very likely moving to Foyt, so there will be a new driver like Filippi or Chaves.

Foyt: It's likely they will enter a second car, with Sato staying and Hawksworth is very likely moving to Foyt

Rahal: I think they will field one car for Rahal or another driver like Filippi.

Fan Force United: They try to put together a full season with Stefan Wilson.

 

So we will have a minimun of 21 cars and a maximum of 28 cars with 23-25 cars are very likely.

 

My suggestion:

Penske: Power, Castroneves, Montoya, Pagenaud

Ganassi: Dixon, Kanaan, Kimball, Karam (?)

Schmidt Peterson Hamilton: Aleshin (?), Hinchcliffe (?)

Andretti: Hunter-Reay, Munoz, Andretti, Abt (?)

KVSH: Bourdais, Saavedra (?)

CFH: Newgarden, Carpenter/Conway (?)

Dale Coyne: Wilson (?), Huertas (?)

Herta: Filippi (?)

Foyt: Sato (?), Hinchcliffe (?)

Rahal: Rahal (?)

 

For the Indy-500 we likely will see

Buddy Lazier (Lazier)

Bryan Clauson (Jonathan Byrd's/KVSH)

Jacques Villeneuve (Schmidt Peterson Hamilton)

Stefan Wilson (Fan Force United)

Matthew Brabham (Andretti)

JR Hildebrand (CHF)

 

So these are unknown questions:

- What will Ryan Briscoe do?

- What will Gabby Chaves do?



Advertisement

#2 jonpollak

jonpollak
  • Member

  • 43,951 posts
  • Joined: March 00

Posted 04 October 2014 - 18:49

Thanks for this HF.

#3 Risil

Risil
  • Administrator

  • 61,328 posts
  • Joined: February 07

Posted 04 October 2014 - 19:20

One day we'll have a calendar to go with it!



#4 prommer

prommer
  • Member

  • 4,950 posts
  • Joined: April 13

Posted 05 October 2014 - 00:09

Thank goodness there's finally an actual thread for this.  It's gonna get gooooood.  I really hope to see Abt at Andretti, and also what happens to the BHA seat.  In fact, I really wonder what sort of Honda response there will be to Chevy stacking their driver lineup.  It's entirely possible that Honda doesn't really care (Mr. Ganassi might well expect that), which would be kinda sad.

 

Some other storylines going forward...

 

Supposedly Hinchcliffe to Schmidt may be announced as early as this Tuesday.

 

It will be interesting to see what sort of one-offs arise for the Brasilia race.  Vitor Meira, Bia, Piquet Jr., and heck maybe even Barrichello will want to get in on it.



#5 DanardiF1

DanardiF1
  • Member

  • 10,082 posts
  • Joined: February 10

Posted 05 October 2014 - 00:32

Would like to see Karam given a shot with Ganassi... he drove well in the 500 and would mean another young American is in the series. Plus hailing from Nazareth, PA is no bad thing in Indycar terms...



#6 Myrvold

Myrvold
  • Member

  • 15,853 posts
  • Joined: December 10

Posted 05 October 2014 - 00:42

For some reason, I wouldn't be surprised to see JV show up in one of the smaller teams.



#7 aguri

aguri
  • Member

  • 418 posts
  • Joined: June 09

Posted 05 October 2014 - 01:53

If Nasr doesn't get the Sauber seat I think he will end up in an indy car, at least for the race in Brazil.



#8 William Hunt

William Hunt
  • Member

  • 10,928 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 05 October 2014 - 02:30

Felipe Nasr said that he would rather do another season of GP2 if he doesn't get a midfield seat in F1 (Sauber, Lotus, Force India). He said he is not interested in driving for Marussia or Caterham. He didn't mention IndyCar though but since he said he wouldn't mind doing another GP2 season I guess he won't go to America next year (unless maybe for the Brazilian round).


Edited by William Hunt, 05 October 2014 - 02:32.


#9 HammyHamiltonFan

HammyHamiltonFan
  • Member

  • 703 posts
  • Joined: June 13

Posted 05 October 2014 - 05:40

Fernando Alonso to any of them? ;)



#10 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 07 October 2014 - 12:48

Felipe Nasr said that he would rather do another season of GP2 if he doesn't get a midfield seat in F1 (Sauber, Lotus, Force India). He said he is not interested in driving for Marussia or Caterham. He didn't mention IndyCar though but since he said he wouldn't mind doing another GP2 season I guess he won't go to America next year (unless maybe for the Brazilian round).


A fourth season in GP2? He risks becoming another Fabio Leimer.

#11 aguri

aguri
  • Member

  • 418 posts
  • Joined: June 09

Posted 07 October 2014 - 13:23

Fourth season in GP2 is a waste of time and money. A couple of strong seasons in indycar/wec and he might get another shot at F1 anyway. If not, he still has a promising motor racing career regardless.



#12 tkulla

tkulla
  • Member

  • 3,824 posts
  • Joined: October 03

Posted 07 October 2014 - 13:25

Any news/rumors about JE Verge making a switch to Indycar? Frenchmen seem to be en vogue in American open wheel racing these days.



#13 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 07 October 2014 - 14:00

Any news/rumors about Vergne making a switch to Indycar? Frenchmen seem to be en vogue in American open wheel racing these days.


Nothing other than Sky speculating about it. The same was said about Di Resta last year and he chose DTM instead.

Edited by Prost1997T, 07 October 2014 - 14:01.


#14 aray

aray
  • Member

  • 5,779 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 07 October 2014 - 14:45

Montoya for champion.. :up:



#15 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 07 October 2014 - 14:55

Montoya for champion.. :up:


He'll have to get a lot better on road\street courses.

Edited by Prost1997T, 07 October 2014 - 14:55.


#16 jonpollak

jonpollak
  • Member

  • 43,951 posts
  • Joined: March 00

Posted 07 October 2014 - 17:11

Walker discusses the near future. http://motorsportsta...more-post-2014/

#17 prommer

prommer
  • Member

  • 4,950 posts
  • Joined: April 13

Posted 07 October 2014 - 19:33

Sounds like the Hinch to Schmidt confirmation is coming up in the next hour.



#18 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 07 October 2014 - 20:46

Sounds like the Hinch to Schmidt confirmation is coming up in the next hour.


http://www.spmindyca...iffe-joins-spm/

Confirmed on a multi-year deal. UFD are apparently staying with Andretti Autosport, so that could be a landing spot for Justin Wilson.

#19 Risil

Risil
  • Administrator

  • 61,328 posts
  • Joined: February 07

Posted 07 October 2014 - 22:04

Do they even have broadband in Yorkshire?



Advertisement

#20 jonpollak

jonpollak
  • Member

  • 43,951 posts
  • Joined: March 00

Posted 08 October 2014 - 00:05

Why yes they do. It's called ... "E-OOP"

#21 OvDrone

OvDrone
  • Member

  • 16,115 posts
  • Joined: January 13

Posted 08 October 2014 - 00:22

I approve this grid. Mayor = the new Stealth.



#22 Ross Stonefeld

Ross Stonefeld
  • Member

  • 70,106 posts
  • Joined: August 99

Posted 08 October 2014 - 00:40

http://www.spmindyca...iffe-joins-spm/

Confirmed on a multi-year deal. UFD are apparently staying with Andretti Autosport, so that could be a landing spot for Justin Wilson.

 

I think if UFD were staying at full rate, Hinchcliffe would be in the car. I think they(team) even had the option on him if money could be found?



#23 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 08 October 2014 - 01:02

I think if UFD were staying at full rate, Hinchcliffe would be in the car. I think they(team) even had the option on him if money could be found?

 

Perhaps SPM offered him more regardless? Or he took the option that was 100% guaranteed now, rather than wait. There's also the lead driver thing, at AA he was basically third in line.



#24 loki

loki
  • Member

  • 12,037 posts
  • Joined: May 02

Posted 08 October 2014 - 04:45

I think if UFD were staying at full rate, Hinchcliffe would be in the car. I think they(team) even had the option on him if money could be found?

According to a piece from AP today it indicates Hinch wanted to make the move. http://m.apnews.com/...ntguid=iOsgWopk

 

With all that on the table, Andretti would have preferred to re-sign the young driver. But Hinchcliffe couldn't afford to wait much longer.

"We are happy to have had Hinch as part of the team over the past three years and have enjoyed our successes together," Andretti said. "As a former driver, I understand him having to make the decision he did, he needed to cover himself. I wish that we could have resolved a deal to secure him for 2015, but we are not in that position yet. We're sorry to see him go, but wish him the best."

 

 

Hinchcliffe said he had more experience running with a two-car team, already had some relationships with team members at SPM and, yes, dreamed of the chance to be the lead dog on a team that could win both the Indianapolis 500 and the IndyCar championship.

 


Edited by loki, 08 October 2014 - 04:46.


#25 Ross Stonefeld

Ross Stonefeld
  • Member

  • 70,106 posts
  • Joined: August 99

Posted 08 October 2014 - 14:38

I dunno, that reads a lot like Andretti wanted to keep him but Hinchcliffe couldn't let another opportunity go while he waited.

 

The "I want to lead a team" thing is funny. He could do that at Andretti if he could beat RHR regularly. He wants to have a chance at the 500 and the championship. I reckon an Andretti car is a better chance at that than SSM. I think Pagenaud is a *little* overrated but I also think he flatters SSM.



#26 Option1

Option1
  • Member

  • 14,892 posts
  • Joined: February 01

Posted 09 October 2014 - 14:05

Walker discusses the near future. http://motorsportsta...more-post-2014/

Thanks for that, JP.  Good article, interesting attempt at patching over any remaining cracks from Beaux Barfield's departure.

 

Neil



#27 paulb

paulb
  • Member

  • 11,158 posts
  • Joined: June 00

Posted 09 October 2014 - 14:53

I'm simply happy there is an active IndyCar thread.



#28 B Squared

B Squared
  • Member

  • 7,314 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 09 October 2014 - 15:54

In this mornigs Indy Star, here's how Curt Cavin sees the schedule shaping up. The first half of the season seem to be confirmed:

 

March 8: Brasilia (confirmed)

March 29: St. Petersburg (confirmed)

April 12: New Orleans (confirmed)

April 19: Long Beach (confirmed)

April 26: Birmingham (confirmed)

May 9: Indianapolis road course (confirmed)

May 24: Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)

May 30-31: Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)

June 6: Fort Worth (confirmed)

June 13-14: Toronto doubleheader (expected, not confirmed)

June 27: Fontana (expected, not confirmed)

July 12: Iowa (best guess)

July 19: Milwaukee (best guess)

Aug. 2: Mid-Ohio (expected, not confirmed)

Aug. 16: Pocono (best guess)

Aug. 23: Sonoma (expected, not confirmed)



#29 B Squared

B Squared
  • Member

  • 7,314 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 09 October 2014 - 16:13

Foyt Racing confirms opening of a satellite shop on Main St. near the Speedway in Indianapolis:

 

http://www.foytracing.com/

 

 

 



#30 Xpat

Xpat
  • Member

  • 17,658 posts
  • Joined: February 10

Posted 09 October 2014 - 16:24

Has a chance to visit the Dallara factory a few weeks ago for a charity event. It is an impressive facility. I was passed by a two-seater Indy car in the way down 16th Street. They were giving rides for a small donation, they had simulators set up, and green screens set up so you could get a photo of yourself standing at the yard of bricks with the Borg-Warner.

 

mainBanner_4.jpg



#31 Ross Stonefeld

Ross Stonefeld
  • Member

  • 70,106 posts
  • Joined: August 99

Posted 09 October 2014 - 16:28

Why is Fontana in JUNE the answer?

 

And I guess no Dubai, but Brazil is non-points?



#32 B Squared

B Squared
  • Member

  • 7,314 posts
  • Joined: September 08

Posted 09 October 2014 - 16:37

Why is Fontana in JUNE the answer?

 

And I guess no Dubai, but Brazil is non-points?

I believe Brazil is a points race



#33 biercemountain

biercemountain
  • Member

  • 1,014 posts
  • Joined: June 01

Posted 09 October 2014 - 17:39

What's de Silvestro's status at Sauber these days? As much as I'd love to see her land a decent seat in F1 it would be great to have her back in Indycar.



#34 William Hunt

William Hunt
  • Member

  • 10,928 posts
  • Joined: July 01

Posted 12 October 2014 - 01:29

yes it would be great to see de Silvestro back in IndyCar next year, she wasted a year this season.



#35 Fulcrum

Fulcrum
  • Member

  • 247 posts
  • Joined: February 11

Posted 14 October 2014 - 19:12

Chevy aero kit

indy-aerokit.jpg



#36 Disgrace

Disgrace
  • Member

  • 31,165 posts
  • Joined: January 10

Posted 14 October 2014 - 19:17

Oh dear. Here's the original shot. This isn't what I envisaged for the return to the glorious 90s era.

 

TyrrellXWing.jpg



#37 Ross Stonefeld

Ross Stonefeld
  • Member

  • 70,106 posts
  • Joined: August 99

Posted 14 October 2014 - 19:38

Gross



#38 prommer

prommer
  • Member

  • 4,950 posts
  • Joined: April 13

Posted 14 October 2014 - 19:40

Holy downforce, Batman!  But it is certainly different, and there's no nobby bit in the front, so color me intrigued.



#39 Dolph

Dolph
  • Member

  • 12,109 posts
  • Joined: March 01

Posted 14 October 2014 - 19:44

Chevy aero kit

indy-aerokit.jpg

 

Who's driving?



Advertisement

#40 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 14 October 2014 - 20:03

That's Pagenaud at COTA. Can't say I expected them to sprout winglets everywhere, let's hope it doesn't negatively impact the racing.

Edited by Prost1997T, 14 October 2014 - 20:03.


#41 Afterburner

Afterburner
  • RC Forum Host

  • 9,125 posts
  • Joined: January 11

Posted 14 October 2014 - 21:57

In this mornigs Indy Star, here's how Curt Cavin sees the schedule shaping up. The first half of the season seem to be confirmed:

March 8: Brasilia (confirmed)
March 29: St. Petersburg (confirmed)
April 12: New Orleans (confirmed)
April 19: Long Beach (confirmed)
April 26: Birmingham (confirmed)
May 9: Indianapolis road course (confirmed)
May 24: Indianapolis 500 (confirmed)
May 30-31: Detroit doubleheader (confirmed)
June 6: Fort Worth (confirmed)
June 13-14: Toronto doubleheader (expected, not confirmed)
June 27: Fontana (expected, not confirmed)
July 12: Iowa (best guess)
July 19: Milwaukee (best guess)
Aug. 2: Mid-Ohio (expected, not confirmed)
Aug. 16: Pocono (best guess)
Aug. 23: Sonoma (expected, not confirmed)


Only two double headers and a month full of ovals? And did I mention only two double headers? WTF?

#42 Muppetmad

Muppetmad
  • Member

  • 11,085 posts
  • Joined: September 09

Posted 14 October 2014 - 22:02

I remember reading on the IndyCar website that Toronto isn't expected to be a double header either - so there's only the one at Detroit.



#43 sblick

sblick
  • Member

  • 1,208 posts
  • Joined: September 01

Posted 14 October 2014 - 22:02

So stoked that car is awesome. That is what I wanted to see full out aero. How much is legal though? I assume all. How much do they go to the first race with?

#44 DanardiF1

DanardiF1
  • Member

  • 10,082 posts
  • Joined: February 10

Posted 14 October 2014 - 22:19

That's Pagenaud at COTA. Can't say I expected them to sprout winglets everywhere, let's hope it doesn't negatively impact the racing.

 

Also looks like the rear wheels are more enclosed than previously as well, making it look even more of a LMP/F1 hybrid than before!

 

Nice to see a multi-element front wing though.



#45 paulb

paulb
  • Member

  • 11,158 posts
  • Joined: June 00

Posted 14 October 2014 - 22:22

This will certainly distract from the current bumper-car look.

 

It appears hideous, but will provide more real estate for sponsor decals. :up:      :(

 

I would love to see the spec they are designing to.

 

Chevy aero kit

indy-aerokit.jpg

 


Edited by paulb, 14 October 2014 - 22:22.


#46 Risil

Risil
  • Administrator

  • 61,328 posts
  • Joined: February 07

Posted 14 October 2014 - 22:36

Looks like the old Panther National Guard livery.



#47 stewie

stewie
  • Member

  • 3,553 posts
  • Joined: October 11

Posted 15 October 2014 - 09:46

Looks like they've slapped an old F1 wing on the front, so much more complex!

 

Interesting the test is at COTA, wondering if that could mean a race there in the next year or two?
 

Anyway, old beans, more importantly, when are we going to bloody well know where & when we go racing in 2015?



#48 August

August
  • Member

  • 3,277 posts
  • Joined: March 10

Posted 15 October 2014 - 11:09

Anyway, old beans, more importantly, when are we going to bloody well know where & when we go racing in 2015?


Here are all the confirmed race dates:

http://en.wikipedia....season#Schedule

#49 sblick

sblick
  • Member

  • 1,208 posts
  • Joined: September 01

Posted 15 October 2014 - 11:58

This will certainly distract from the current bumper-car look.
 
It appears hideous, but will provide more real estate for sponsor decals. :up:      :(
 
I would love to see the spec they are designing to.

They have boxes where they can do anything. If you search online and maybe even in the 2014 IndyCar forum there might be a picture or some pictures. So really, no spec, just stay within the box. There may be some main plane for the wings rules. So you won't see multi-plane rear wings or all the cascades you would see on an F1 wing, I don't think

#50 Prost1997T

Prost1997T
  • Member

  • 8,379 posts
  • Joined: July 11

Posted 15 October 2014 - 12:25

Looks like a triple-element rear wing to me.