Sato, de Ferran team to also run IndyCar
08/07/09 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. Gil de Ferran announced today at Mid-Ohio that his goal is to have a 2-car ALMS and 2-car IndyCar team in 2010. We will have more information on this story on our Hot News page shortly. Mark C. reporting from Mid-Ohio.
08/07/09 Here in Mid-Ohio Friday we spotted Gil de Ferran and the President of his racing team, Robert Clarke (former HPD boss), walking into a meeting with Honda Performance Development (HPD) boss Erik Berkman in the HPD Business Unit. Were they discussing the Acura ALMS program or the expansion of De Ferran Motorsports into IndyCar? It's that time of year where decisions for next year begin to solidify. Mark C. reporting from Mid-Ohio
07/09/09 There are no plans and there are no discussions to sell the American Le Mans Series. There are absolutely no plans or discussions to sell IMSA or any of the Panoz Motor Sports Group circuits either. You know, these same rumors have surfaced in various forms for many years and nothing has ever materialized from any of them. Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO
Lots of rumors about Acura departing the Series. If Acura decides to leave after this season, can the Series survive? Beyond the cars it fields on track, it also is a big corporate partner of the Series – it would be a huge competitive and commercial blow, wouldn't it?
Atherton: "As has been the case from the start, I am in constant contact with Acura executives from both the retail and motorsports divisions. Acura, like virtually every auto manufacturer, is currently looking at all options regarding its future – not only its involvement with the American Le Mans Series but across the board. We are fortunate to be involved with many major auto manufacturers – more than any other major racing series in the world – and as a result if one elects not to continue at the same level or opts out, it’s not a disaster."
07/04/09 Still hearing that Sato is coming, just don't know when or with which team. But if the rumors are true that ALMS might not answer the bell in 2010, then we could see all the Acura teams move to the IRL.
06/22/09 Takuma Sato appears headed for the IndyCar Series in 2010. Formula Dream's financial involvement in the series appears headed for the former F1 driver. A team has not been identified, but Panther Racing and De Ferran Motorsports are likely choices. Formula Dream has sponsored Hideki Mutoh's car at Andretti Green Racing the past two seasons. AutoWeek
05/08/09 Spotted at Indy today – Gil de Ferran and Japanese ex-Honda F1 driver Takuma Sato. Recall we rumored that Sato would be one of de Ferran's drivers in IndyCar. Could it happen before 2010?
05/04/09 Hearing more rumors that De Ferran Motorsports will be running an IndyCar team in 2010.
04/05/09 Scott Sharp is a year removed from driving in the IndyCar Series, and he's itching to return. No plans are set, but the 1996 series co-champion is hoping to have a ride for the Indianapolis 500. "I'd like to, with the right deal," he said. "We're trying. We'll see." Sharp, who won Indy's pole in 2001, is in his second season with the American Le Mans Series. Indy Star
04/03/09 Our ALMS sources tell us that although Acura would prefer to be racing another manufacturer in LMP1, like the IRL where they have no competition, they are quite happy with ALMS and still able to use the series to market their product and help sell cars.
03/25/09 Robin Miller reports – The ALMS folks got all riled up because of my "rumor" on SPEED REPORT last Sunday night that Honda would drop the Acura LP1 program after Sebring so let me clarify. OK, maybe that was bad phrasing. My understanding is that the R&D will cease on this car immediately and Honda wants to take Gil de Ferran's team to the IRL in 2010 instead of competing against no one in sports cars.
I also heard that Honda of Japan wants Takuma Sato in an open wheel series and he may get to run a couple of ovals prior to Motegi (ideally with Gil's people). And, if de Ferran runs two cars next year, it would be good to see Simon Pagenaud back in an open wheel car. There's also talk that Scott Sharp's Highcroft team may be bringing him to Indianapolis this May.
Would owner Duncan Dayton, an accomplished vintage F1 racer, want to go IndyCar racing full-time? Probably depends on what happens with Honda and the ALMS.
But the ALMS folks swear de Ferran and Highcroft will continue with their 2009 ALMS efforts. It's just a shame that Audi and Porsche bailed because the ALMS had a lot of momentum after last year and watching the end of Sebring with Peugeot and Audi was entertaining. SPEEDTV.com
03/23/09 Marshall Pruett, who covers the ALMS and was at Sebring, said on Wind Tunnel that he hadn't heard anything about the possible pull out by Acura. Audi will return for Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca and will likely return full time in 2010. Plus there's the possibility that Porsche will roll out their new LMP1 by the end of the season. Panoz also announced he plans on building a front engine LMP1 that he hopes it will hit the track at the end of the season. One has a hard time believing Honda/Acura is going to throw in the towel after one race after spending millions developing their new LMP1 prototype even though they were 2 seconds off the pace of the diesels during the Sebring race.
03/22/09 Robin Miller reported Sunday night on The Speed Report that rumor has it that jilted Honda F1 driver Takumo Sato will be hired by the Gil de Ferran Acura (i.e. Honda) team before the end of the year and together with the Patron Highcroft Sharp Acura ALMS team will move back to IndyCar this year.
Miller hears that Honda is not happy that they will be the only brand in competition in ALMS LMP1, so they want to pull out and use that funding for these two teams in IndyCar.