Rossi to stay at Andretti, Kanaan to stay at Ganassi (5th Update)
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| Rossi can hear The Captain calling |
This rumor is now upgraded back to 'strong' today. With today's announcement that Rossi re-signed with Andretti-Herta for 2017, and with both Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan possibly looking at 2017 as their last year in IndyCar, it is expected that Rossi will replace either Castroneves or Kanaan in 2018.
Given the fact that Rossi has had discussions with Team Penske, and probably with Ganassi, if Herta and Andretti have any hope of keeping the Rookie Of The Year and Indy 500 winner beyond 2017 the team is going to have to give him a winning car in 2017 or we suspect he will be gone. How do you say no when 'The Captain' comes calling?
Every race car driver's reflexes slow as they age, and even the greatest drivers of all time started to slow once they reached 40 years old. To still be competing at 40 is old for most sports. By that age it's time to get out and IndyCar has several drivers who are facing the inevitable, including Montoya, Castroneves, Kanaan and soon Scott Dixon (we predict 2019 or 2020 for him). That's 4-prime IndyCar seats up for grabs. With Newgarden expected to replace Montoya in 2017, it's expected Rossi's chance will come in 2018.
09/20/16 Racer now reports that Newgarden is getting the Penske seat so this rumor goes down to 'speculation' for the Rossi part, but the Kanaan part remains 'strong.'
09/20/16 We are raising this rumor to 'strong' today. Robin Miller writes at racer.com – Alexander Rossi is taking Montoya's place. "That's what I keep hearing," a veteran said at Sunday morning's driver's meeting. Rossi-to-Penske was getting louder and louder on Sunday. Asked about Rossi in Victory Lane after Simon Pagenaud's victory on Sunday, Roger Penske just smiled.
Rossi Was only thought to be at Andretti Autosport until the last few days ago but now Roger Penske is front and center. It was believed Rossi was working toward a three-year deal with Michael Andretti but The Captain usually gets his man.
09/18/16
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| Alexander Rossi when asked today if Penske is after him his reply was "that would be nice, I just try to do my best every time out and we'll see what the future brings." |
Roger Penske made it sound Saturday like Juan Pablo Montoya will not return to Team Penske next IndyCar season, and Penske was coy about Josef Newgarden taking Montoya's place.
Some believe Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi is still in the frame for what would be the fourth Team Penske seat as Penske confirmed all the necessary sponsorship is in place for championship contenders Simon Pagenaud and Will Power, plus Helio Castroneves.
Penske seemed to be dodging a question about hiring Newgarden.
"He isn't available, I don't think, right now," he said.
No, but Newgarden could be soon. He has been working off a one-year contract with Ed Carpenter Racing, which has offered an extension that the driver has until Sept. 28 to act on. Team owner Ed Carpenter said the team has the right of first refusal.
Montoya wants to remain in IndyCar, and there figures to be interest in his services, led by Jimmy Vasser's KVSH team. Montoya and Vasser once were teammates at Chip Ganassi Racing. Carpenter also could be a landing spot for the two-time Indianapolis 500 champion.
Rossi has yet to re-sign with Andretti Autosport, and he recently said he's been surprised by the interest that came his way following the 500 win. However, he has not elaborated on possible opportunities, leading to speculation Team Penske is one of them. AutoWeek
09/13/16 Michael Andretti is eager for Alexander Rossi to continue in the Verizon IndyCar Series for a second season and to turn his back on his Formula 1 ambitions, but can Andretti keep Rossi if Penske comes calling?
"It’s not there yet but we’re working on it," said Andretti on Autosport. "We want him and he wants to be here. We’re just trying to raise the money to make it happen.
"Unfortunately, we're not getting the results that we would like, but we will figure it out and turn it around."
Rossi currently sits eleventh in the standings with just this weekend’s finale at Sonoma Raceway to go, with the whole Andretti Autosport stable having had frustrating moments during the season, with Rossi's win at Indianapolis the only time the team have won in 2016.
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| Is Alexander Rossi going to Penske to replace Montoya? It's about time Penske hires an American |
09/08/16 Alexander Rossi has moved into the frame at Penske. Despite admitting to Motorsport.com that he is deep in talks with Andretti Autosport, Rossi met with Penske team principals at Watkins Glen.
With his status as an Indy 500 winner, his very polite and composed nature outside the car and his increasing ability to match the pace of de facto team leader Ryan Hunter-Reay, 2016 rookie Rossi appears to have most of the primary qualities that would appeal to legendary team owner Roger Penske.
IndyCar silly-season is about to see one of its major questions answered, as it appears Tony Kanaan will have a year added to his contract with Chip Ganassi Racing.
Two sources close to both team and driver have independently told Motorsport.com that the Brazilian veteran is on the verge of signing on for a fourth season with Chip Ganassi’s team, although the deal is not yet done. David Malsher/Motorsport.com