Q: If Max Papis is recused from disciplining of Pietro Fittipaldi and Arie Luyendyk is recused from disciplining Rinus VeeKay, what happens when they collide with each other?
Ed Joras
MP: This is my favorite question of the month, Ed. My vote is to have former IndyCar race director — now IMSA’s race director — Beaux Barfield on a hotline to rule from his couch in Texas.
Q: Simple question: Trans Am is racing at PittRace in 2024. Why can’t IndyCar?
Harrison
MP: Because PittRace hasn’t struck a deal with IndyCar to hold a race?
There’s no real “can’t” here, but it’s common for smaller series to race at venues like the Pittsburgh road course that host a lot of championships like Trans Am or SRO that operate just below the NASCARs, IndyCars and IMSAs. There’s nothing stopping them from courting IndyCar, and that’s how these things work. If they’re interested, I’m sure IndyCar would listen.
Q: In response to Chad Brueggeman from the 10/18 Mailbag, he can see Formula Fords run at Road America each year during the June Sprints weekend. It’s a fantastic weekend to attend. The next two years will have bonus opportunities as the Runoffs will be at Road America, too.
Jason
MP: Thanks, Jason. They can also be seen at most SCCA Club races throughout the country.
Q: I am so excited about Kyle Larson doing the double. He will certainly bring eyeballs to the 500. Could you please suggest to someone at IMS or IndyCar to promote the Indy 500 on Kyle’s winged sprint car? That is the crowd IndyCar needs to watch the Indianapolis 500. His wing is usually blank.
Jeff Loveland
MP: I’m confident Kyle’s loyal fans will know exactly where he’ll be racing in May, Jeff.
Q: How come we are not hearing anything about the silly season? I am mainly interested in Team RLL news. Has Graham been signed? Who is the third seat RLL going to? Vips? I didn’t see anyone for Team RLL at the Indy rookie test. Do you have any Team RLL news for their No.1 fan?
William
MP: I’m hoping the updates I filed earlier this week on Pietro, Juri, and Graham provided some answers. I’m buttoning up a few other updates for our next silly season piece.
Q: Inquiring minds want to know: What is the story behind Will Power running the No. 22 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet (rather than the No. 12) in the test at the Milwaukee Mile?
George, Colorado Springs, CO
MP: Team Penske tells me using the No. 22, which is what they’ve been running in hybrid tests for months, is to differentiate the car from its full-time cars.
Q: With testing now having started for the new hybrid engine, I am wondering why it is always the top teams in the series who seem to get the chance to test? What about a slightly more level playing field? Is this because teams have to finance the test and say no or because they are not invited?
Oliver Wells
MP: The teams who test for Chevy are chosen by Chevy and the teams who test for Honda are chosen by Honda. Both manufacturers have no interest in leveling playing fields in testing; the entire purpose is to create as unlevel of a playing field as both brands can manage.
Said another way, if you were choosing people to conduct important research, would you select the C and D students and be happy with the mediocre results? That’s why Chevy and Honda don’t ask the mid- and bottom-tier teams to handle testing.
Q: Has there ever been a whisper of Hyundai as an IndyCar engine supplier, badged as a Genesis, considering Bryan Herta’s success with Hyundai and place in IndyCar with Andretti? Strong connection that maybe opens doors with Roger Penske for discussion, it would seem.
BVS, Sussex, WI
MP: Yes, I’m aware of at least one pitch/meeting being held in recent years, but it wasn’t of interest to the brand.
Q: Glad to hear that Tatiana Calderon is being considered for Andretti Global’s IndyCar team and Jamie Chadwick is returning for another season in NXT, but what has happened to Simona de Silvestro? Simona is a proven IndyCar racer and was one of the most popular drivers when she raced in that series. She was Beth Paretta’s chosen one when she attempted to put together an IndyCar team. I don’t hear any mention of Simona as part of the diversity movement. What gives?
Dave Wells
MP: She recently raced at the Bathurst 1000 after undergoing an emergency appendectomy before flying to Australia and continues to serve as the test and reserve driver for Porsche’s Formula E team.
Thank you team ☺️ https://t.co/ONF4zPDpVE
— Simona De Silvestro (@simdesilvestro) September 1, 2023
Simona’s an amazing driver, and I’m sure she’d love to be here racing, but I’m not aware of her being on the ground and trying to make something new happen. I know Tati and Jamie have been actively working to be here, which appears to be having an effect on creating opportunities.
If the rumors I’ve heard about the National Guard wanting to increase female recruitment through sponsorship involvements with one or both women are true, we just might have a new runway for some next-generation drivers. The fact that Simona remains the first and best option here isn’t a good thing; I wish she was a full-timer, but even more, I wish we had five or 10 more Simonas who are ready to step in and add to her legacy.