Reigning NTT IndyCar Series champions Chip Ganassi Racing has launched a new driver development service. Its first two clients are Kiwi Motorsport, which competes in the Formula Regional Americas series, and Palou Motorsport, the Eurocup-3 team started by CGR’s Alex Palou and his father Ramon, who runs the program.
More teams are expected to be announced in the initiative where, according to CGR, its creating “strategic partnerships across motorsports as a development pipeline to the top level of motorsports in North America. The program will allow CGR to identify talent competing with its partner teams at an earlier age and help provide a home for drivers as they develop in the CGR ecosystem.”
Drivers within “partner teams will be included in CGR programs based out of its state-of-the-art shop in Indianapolis including physical, mental and media training, technical education, simulator training, business development and a presence at select IndyCar Series events,” the team added.
Following its recent downsizing from five IndyCar entries to three, and the farewelling of its IMSA GTP program, CGR has made use of its extra resources to reengage in junior open-wheel racing by adding a two-car Indy NXT effort and, with the new driver development program, take on more clients to train and usher upwards towards IndyCar.
“Young race drivers should have unselfish support to develop from a young age,” said CGR managing director Mike Hull. “The defined ladder steps are only the first chapter. The match of an open mind with a diversified plan becomes the best avenue for career development. To become successful at the highest level starts with a disciplined structure. The creation of the separation mindset starts away from the racetrack which feeds the on-track choices. Finding the best functional race team avenues speeds career development. Mentoring within the CGR ethic feeds ongoing growth.”