AutoGP champ be third driver at SPM IndyCar (2nd Update)

Luis Michael Dorrbecker is well sponsored – he has check and he will drive

UPDATE Mexican open-wheeler Luis Michael Dorrbecker is scheduled to test for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports next month and, if all goes well, the relationship could develop into a race seat after the Indy 500.

The reigning Auto GP champion will turn his first laps in one of SPM's Honda-powered cars on March 1 at Sebring, and from there, the team will decide whether to assign the 24-year-old and his sponsors to a third entry alongside James Hinchcliffe and Mikhail Aleshin.

Although one report from a Spanish-language outlet claims Dorrbecker has already been signed for Indianapolis and up to three additional races with SPM, team co-owner Sam Schmidt told RACER the test is the only item on the books for now.

"I know it would be the first time in history a driver would be optimistic in their approach to this situation," Schmidt told RACER with a hint of sarcasm. "He is fortunate to have some good backing from his country and we all know the series desperately needs some more full-time South American talent. As far as we're concerned, we've done a deal to test him on March 1st and we'll see how that goes. There's no contract beyond that, and then we have the first right of refusal for the rest of the year and next year."

With backing from Mexican telecommunications giant Telmex and a demonstration of his aptitude at Sebring, Dorrbecker could be in the frame for something with the team after May. He's also expected to join the team later this week at Phoenix to observe and learn during IndyCar's open test on the one-mile oval.

"We're happy with the two drivers we have now, ecstatic with the continuity we've been able to create this year with our drivers and our crew; we're looking forward to the year and we would like to run a third car after Indy that [Dorrbecker] or others could possibly fit into," said Schmidt, whose team welcomed Copper Moon Coffee on Monday as its newest sponsor. "And we're going to run a third car at Indy, but that program and driver will be announced at a later date."

Prior to its appearance at Phoenix on Friday-Saturday, SPM will use one of its test days at Sonoma Raceway on Tuesday. With rain expected this week in the Bay Area, Ed Carpenter Racing canceled its plans to join SPM in favor of returning on Feb. 14. Racer.com

01/17/17 This rumor is upgraded to 'strong' today. When in doubt, follow the money. With the recent news/rumor that Russian driver Mikhail Aleshin's check from Russia bounced, SPM needs another ride-buyer to fill the seat quickly as preseason testing begins on Feb 20th. Dorrbecker is well sponsored with Carlos Slim money behind him and can replace Aleshin on quick notice. We await the results of the test, which of course are always good when the driver's check is large enough.

What a sport! Did you know that nearly 100.00% of the IndyCar and F1 ladder systems are built on ride-buyer money? Like a house of cards, it can all collapse if the economy turns south and the ride-buyer money dries up. We have updated our 2017 IndyCar Silly Season page again to reflect Dorrbecker as 'strong.'

01/11/17

Reigning Auto GP Formula Open champion Luis Michael Dorrbecker will test an IndyCar for Schmidt Peterson Motorsport at Sebring on March 1st.

"It is a dream come true to be able to confirm that I will get in an IndyCar," said Dorrbecker, who is backed by Telmex.

Telmex and other sponsors for Dorrbecker – he's in

"If someone had told me when I started karts that someday I would share track with drivers like Tony Kanaan and Scott Dixon, who I saw running in the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez when I was a kid, I would have not believed it.

"It's a big step in my career after winning the Auto GP championship in 2016 and I think that's the way to go to be the first full-time Mexican driver in the IndyCar Series since Adrian Fernandez in 2004. I have the advantage of knowing the track from when I competed in Skip Barber, but this car is an animal; very different from what I've done before, not only because of the power, but also because of the technological level it has. We are prepared mentally and physically to make the most of this great opportunity."

Dorrbecker has spent the past several seasons competing in Europe, but tested an Indy Lights car with Schmidt in 2012.

We have updated our 2017 IndyCar Silly Season page and added Dorrbecker. With the sponsor backing he has – as always, if he has check he will drive.