Frijns to drive part-time for Andretti IndyCar team (2nd Update)
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| Robin Frijns |
Andretti Autosport has revealed that Dutch youngster Robin Frijns will test for the team in the IndyCar Series for the first time later this month.
Frijns, the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion, had spells in Formula 1 as a test driver for Sauber and Caterham but was unable to secure a full-time seat and instead switched to Formula E.
Frijns placed 12th in the 2015-16 standings for Andretti and will continue with the squad next season.
Andretti has now confirmed that Frijns, 24, will get behind the wheel of one of its Dallara DW12s at Mid Ohio.
Andretti currently fields Carlos Munoz, Marco Andretti, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Alexander Rossi in IndyCar, with the latter's entry run in association with Bryan Herta Autosport.
rth IndyCar at some point this season. RACER sources indicate that Frijns' Mid-Ohio test is intended to provide a benchmark for future consideration in that fourth car, but is not a guarantee for a race seat.
02/11/16
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| Robin Frijns |
After impressing his FIA Formula E boss Michael Andretti, Dutchman Robin Frijns could find himself being entered into some Verizon IndyCar Series races in 2016 for Andretti Autosport.
Frijns has secured points in all four races so far in season two, including a podium in round two at Putrajaya, but Andretti has admitted he has been impressed by the performances of the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 Series champion.
“Robin has been doing a great job in the Amlin Andretti FE car and we’d obviously like to see his talent grow with us," said Andretti to Motorsport.com.
“Often times we’ll get the opportunity to use drivers from one of our disciplines for testing and development across other areas. So there is a possibility of seeing Robin in an IndyCar, but only time will tell."
Frijns, who finished second in the Blancpain Sprint Series with Belgian Audi Club Team WRT in 2015, admits he would be interested in racing in IndyCar, even though he has never raced in the United States before.
“Nothing has been arranged and I don’t know if I will get the opportunity," said Frijns. “That’s up to Michael. But if I get the chance, I will certainly say yes. It’s America’s Formula 1.
“I’ve never been to America yet, so I don’t know how they work, what racing over there will be like. But if I get the chance to test or do one or two races, yes, I would love to do that. Then I can decide if it’s something I would like to race in [full-time].
“I would definitely look forward to it. IndyCar seems to be a great car to drive and to race for Andretti isn’t something you would say no to."
02/06/16 Andretti Autosport team boss Michael Andretti has revealed that it is "very possible" Robin Frijns will run in a fourth car at a few IndyCar races in 2016.
Frijns joined Andretti in Formula E for the 2015-2016 season after a turbulent few years that saw him go from beating Jules Bianchi to the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 title to racing in the Blancpain GT series, having failed to make the step up to Formula 1.
Frijns has made a big impression in just his first three races for the American team, finishing on the podium in Putrajaya despite completing the final lap with a broken steering arm.
Speaking to MotorSportsTalk in Buenos Aires, Andretti revealed that Frijns is a consideration for the team to run in its fourth car at select IndyCar rounds in 2016.
"Right now we’re still a three car team. There are still a couple of irons in the fire for the fourth car," Andretti explained.
“We also have a couple of irons in the fire for the fourth car for maybe doing certain races, not the whole season. So we’re still trying."
When pressed if Frijns could make his IndyCar debut, Andretti said: “It’s very possible that he could, one or two races, but we’ll see. It’s possible, yeah."
Frijns was also asked about the chances of him racing for Andretti in IndyCar in the future, and although he said he would "definitely" jump at the opportunity, he asserted: "That’s not a question I have to answer."