Hawksworth, not Filippi, to drive for Herta?
02/19/14
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| Seems Bryan Herta's team is scrambling to get its program together for 2014. |
Jack Hawksworth has taken to the track today at Sebring International Raceway in the #98 Bryan Herta Autosport machine. We've taken note that the Barracuda Racing moniker, which the team ran under in 2012 and 2013 seems to be a thing of the past. Bryan Herta Autosport, the name the team carried to victory with Dan Wheldon in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 adorns the team's website, Twitter page, etc.
Also, keep in mind, the #98 BHA entry finished 23rd in the entrant standings, which would have placed them outside the Leaders Circle for last season. Now, IndyCar has expanded the LC program in the past depending on a team's situation. Also, with Dragon Racing not returning, and the possibility that Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing may run only one car, it seems there will be room for BHA to obtain an LC entry, which gives teams around $1 million in support. And we imagine BHA will ultimately have an LC entry.
As for Hawksworth, we rate the 22-year old Englishman highly, although we believe he could use another year of Indy Lights. Still, one would have to assume that two days testing with BHA less than six weeks prior to the season, put the 2012 Pro Mazda Champion and three-time 2013 Indy Lights winner in pole position for the #98 BHA entry. If Hawksworth moves to IndyCar, he will join Carlos Munoz as the second 2013 Indy Lights graduate. Of course, 2013 Indy Lights champion Sage Karam appears destined for sports cars, with possibly a few IndyCar races sprinkled in.
We'll share one last item we find very interesting. Presuming BHA makes it to the grid in 2014, BHA will be the only remaining of the original Lotus teams from 2012. HVM, Dragon (assuming they are not back), and Dreyer and Reinbold Racing have all left the series.
AR1 Staff
02/19/14
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| Will the talented Filippi be left at the altar by an IndyCar team again? |
It's long been assumed that Italian Luca Filippi would be the driver of the #98 Barracuda Racing entry in 2014. However, Filippi, who was scheduled to test yesterday with Bryan Herta's team was scratched from the outing. The team released no news on why the test was cancelled.
Of course, Barracuda Racing did test Jack Hawksworth on Monday. Hawksworth was scheduled to be in the car today as well, and we have heard nothing about a change in status.
We will wait and see what happens. But the combination of testing Hawksworth and scratching Filippi from his scheduled probably doesn't bode well for the chances of the Italian piloting the #98. Also, remember Filippi was slated to drive for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in 2012, before a late change saw him bumped from the seat. Will Filippi be left at the altar for a second time by an IndyCar team?
AR1 Staff