2017 to be Castroneves’ IndyCar farewell tour?

Helio's contract with Team Penske has expired. It is rumored that he will get a 1-year renewal for a proper 2017 'Farewell Tour' at which time, Alexander Rossi, who only signed with Andretti-Herta for next year, will be brought in to replace him in 2018 says AR1.com

Helio Castroneves doesn't buy the perception that, as a three-time Indianapolis 500 winner, he has a ride with Team Penske for as long as he wants.

But the Brazilian sounds optimistic about returning to drive for Roger Penske in 2017. While much of the team's offseason buzz has centered on the future of teammate Juan Pablo Montoya, Castroneves is also at the end of a contract.

"We're still having conversations and I have to say that where I'm at today, it's been incredible with Team Penske and anything I'm going to do, first I'm going to talk to Roger," Castroneves said during the Verizon IndyCar Series 2916 finale weekend at, the GoPro Grand Prix of Sonoma Raceway.

"I feel that R.P., (team president Tim) Cindric and the rest of the guys, if they didn't like me they would say right away with a straight face, which I hope they do like me. The thing is, I enjoy working with a team that gives me this equipment and I feel this marriage is still working. Even though we didn't win this championship with me, we won a championship together."

Castroneves drove his No. 3 Hitachi Chevrolet to seventh place at Sonoma, which locked up third place in the series points as Team Penske celebrated a 1-2-3 sweep in the standings with champion Simon Pagenaud and runner-up Will Power.

As the team prepared to celebrate a memorable conclusion to Penske's 50th year in racing, both "The Captain" and Cindric said driver contracts would be resolved in the next month or so.

Castroneves, 41, insisted he hasn't lost an ounce of desire after 19 seasons racing Indy cars. He won his first race in 2000 and arrived to Indianapolis Motor Speedway triumphantly in 2001, celebrating his first Indy 500 victory in his first start at the fabled track. Castroneves has finished second in the Verizon IndyCar Series championship four times, third three times and worse than sixth only once (11th in 2011).

While a series title has proven to be elusive, he's won 29 races and 47 poles. What's most disconcerting to him is his last victory came at Detroit in 2014, a winless stretch of 43 races that's the longest drought of his career.

"You've still got to execute," he said of no ride being guaranteed. More at IndyCar.com