Let's start it off with the launch of Arrow McLaren SP livery from today. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Any reason why McLaren couldn't start its own Indycar team, instead of being in partnership with Schmit (Arrow) ? It looks like they have no stake at all in that team.
yeah it is sorta fuzzy how the ownership is broken down. Sam Schmidt said several months back that McLaren was more of a title sponsor even though they have some McLaren staff there and they are essentially calling the shots. What sponsor calls the shots on racing?? I can't think of one so they must have some ownership stake.
Testing action the next few days. Open Tests February 11, 2020 • 8:00am Live on IndyCar.com. Open Test – Day 1, Session 2 February 11, 2020 • 11:30am Live on IndyCar.com. Open Test – Day 2, Session 1 February 12, 2020 • 7:00am Live on IndyCar.com. Open Test – Day 2, Session 2 February 12, 2020 • 10:00am Live on IndyCar.com.
You would under-estimate the power of sponsors at your peril. In some instances, they have more influence than the team owner. I am not talking about Roger Penske or Chip Ganassi here, OK? After all, they bring the finance necessary to run the team, so have a say in the organisation, the choice of drivers, the general strategy, etc ... I am of course talking about big sponsors, and not those who add small stickers on a car. I would simply have expected McLaren to run their own show, start a new team from the ground up, and give it its own DNA, etc ... rather than piggy-back on an existing outfit. Maybe this association with Sam Schmidt is just a toe in the water, that will develop in future into a "proper" McLaren team. Nothing against Indycar, which I like a lot, but a find it strange McLaren's choice of a specs series where they don't even run their own cars.
Saw Dario Franchiti at the Paris Retromobile show a couple of days ago and went up to greet him, what a nice guy, class act and one of the few pro drivers to really appreciate and know motorsport and motoring history.
What are the thoughts on the new cockpit protection apparatus Indy Car has mandated? Personally, I think they're a bit obtuse looking and compromise the lines of the car. However, after speaking with Scott Dixon at an event at the Bal Harbour Shops event here in Miami back in November, he nothing but praise for the new protection which he first tested last year. Don't know though, will it become accepted as the F-1 approach? My guess is there will be some changes upcoming. BHW
I think they look better than the halo. side profile looks good, especially with teams being able to paint them/integrate into the livery of the car. front head on and quarter views are a bit awkward but whatever. I actually wouldn't be surprised to see F1 adopt the windscreen idea eventually.
Graham Rahal livery revealed. Indycar sponsorship is often limited to "a" race or a group of races, so undoubtedly the look will change like many teams throughout the year. Image Unavailable, Please Login
So what is Seb Bourdais's situation, does he have a full or partial program? I really hope he does at least the non oval races...
As Chas notes, Bourdais is doing part time in Indy Car with Foyt and IMSA full time with 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R. He finds a way to stay busy. BHW
"I would simply have expected McLaren to run their own show, start a new team from the ground up, and give it its own DNA" They tried that last May. How'd that work out?
Sato for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Image Unavailable, Please Login Charlie Kimball for AJ Foyt Image Unavailable, Please Login