AJ Foyt Racing has undergone a transformation over the off-season as they prepare for the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.
Foyt will field three drivers for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg with Dalton Kellett and Kyle Kirkwood joined by Tatiana Calderon.
Kellett, who is entering his third season in the NTT IndyCar Series is back in the No.4 K Line Insulator Chevrolet while Kyle Kirkwood will make his race debut in the No.14 ROKiT Chevrolet.
Tatiana Calderon will also make her NTT IndyCar Series race debut in St Pete in the No.11 ROKiT Chevrolet.
Foyt’s expansion has been made possible by increased backing from ROKiT and the team has all the ingredients they need to be successful in 2022.
This is what Calderon and Kirkwood have to look forward to in St Pete.
Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves who returns to full-time NTT IndyCar Series competition with Meyer Shank Racing for the 2022 season alongside Simon Pagenauud says it is extremely beneficial to be immersed in Meyer Shank Racing across the board in both the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the NTT IndyCar Series.
The Brazilian will compete in the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with MSR alongside Simon Pagenaud who he raced alongside at Team Penske.
Speaking to Paddock Eye during Monday’s content day, Castroneves said that it has been great to integrate into both teams and that he hopes it will help him and Simon Pagenaud move both teams forward as they embark on a new chapter in their respective careers.
The Brazilian said that he is looking forward to getting in the IMSA car because everytime he gets into a race car it helps him.
Castroneves will start the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season with double duty as he will compete in both the IMSA race at the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg in Florida on the same weekend.
Chip Ganassi Racing has confirmed that NTT IndyCar Series veteran and Indianapolis 500 champion Tony Kanaan will return to the team for the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge.
Kanaan will be sponsored by American Legion and will join full-time teammate’s Alex Palou, Scott Dixon, Marcus Ericsson and Jimmie Johnson.
The FIA World Rally Championship officially ushered in a new era on Saturday as they launched their new for 2022 Hybrid cars ahead of next weekend’s season-opening Rally Monte Carlo.
President of the FIA Mohammed bin Sulayem seen during the WRC launch at the Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria on January 15, 2022.Team Toyota poses for a photograph during the WRC launch at the Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria on January 15, 2022. // SI202201150118 // Usage for editorial use only //WRC drivers poses for a photograph with President of the FIA Mohammed Bin Sulayem during the WRC launch at the Hangar 7 in Salzburg, Austria on January 15, 2022.
The FIA World Rally Championship sent a succession of tweets:
— WRC – FIA World Rally Championship (@OfficialWRC) January 15, 2022
New FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem a former WRC driver himself said:
Today’s launch of the new Rally1 era is a very proud and significant moment for the FIA and entire rally family and I would like to congratulate WRC Promoter for delivering a great show at the start of the championship’s 50th anniversary season.
“The enthusiasm for the FIA’s new technical regulations has been very much in evidence in recent months and the event further underlined the momentum coming from the teams and manufacturers, with Rallye Monte-Carlo just a few days away.
“Beside the hybrid technology adding a new dynamic layer of performance combined with safety improvements, Rally1 cars will be using 100 per cent sustainable fuel and work is also ongoing to achieve greater sustainability in the organisation of each round of the series. I look forward to an exciting season!”
WRC Promoter managing director Jona Siebel said
Tonight we’ve seen what the future of the WRC looks like,” he added. “I applaud the manufacturers’ hard work and commitment in readying these amazing and innovative Rally1 cars for the WRC’s new era.
“This evening was a marvellous opportunity to showcase the WRC and exhibit the strong desire to create an environment where both fiercely competitive motorsport and the planet can thrive together.”
The NTT IndyCar Series and PeopleReady announced on Thursday that they are launching the Force For Good challenge
The new partnership will see the first driver to win on an oval, road course and street circuit receive $1 million with $500,000 of that going to their chosen charity while they take home the other $500K.
Speaking about the announcement, Penske Entertainment Corporation President and CEO Mark Miles said:
The PeopleReady Force for Good Challenge will help drive home PeopleReady’s mission to connect people and work as a force for good in the communities they serve while highlighting the skill of NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams and drivers and our collective commitment to helping others. “This program will keep fans engaged all season and continue to raise vital awareness for a variety of worthy charities.”
PeopleReady President and COO, Taryn Owen said:
Our partnership with INDYCAR will accelerate our ability to put work and workforces within reach by raising awareness with race fans. “We are excited to challenge all NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers to compete for the grand prize of $1 million and provide them with the opportunity to give back to a charity they are passionate about.”
Formula One’s governing body, the FIA issued the following statement on Thursday outlining their investigation process into last months Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Former NTT IndyCar Series team owner Kevin Kalkhoven has died at the age of 77 following a short illness it was announced on Tuesday.
Kalkhoven ran the KVSH Racing team and won the Indianapolis 500 with Tony Kanaan in 2013 with Tony Kanaan. In a statement on their Twitter feed Cosworth said:
We're incredibly saddened to learn the company’s former COB Kevin Kalkhoven, sadly passed away this morning, at the age of 77, following a recent illness. Cosworth extends its condolences to Kevin’s family and loved ones and respect their wishes for privacy at this difficult time pic.twitter.com/74j24uej6S
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown commented on the sad news saying:
Deeply saddened at the loss of Kevin Kalkhoven. An Indy 500 winner, owner of ChampCar, Cosworth and the Long Beach Grand Prix, Kevin was a major force in motorsport but also a great colleague and friend, whose business success was mirrored by his generosity to great causes.
Arrow McLaren SP announced on Tuesday that former Red Bull Racing engineer and Team Penske engineer Gavin Ward has joined the team ahead of the start of the 2022 NTT IndyCar Series season.
In a statement on Twitter, Arrow McLaren SP said:
Arrow McLaren SP is delighted to welcome Gavin Ward to the team. Gavin will play a key role in our long-term ambitions in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Adrian Newey, the Chief Technical Officer of Red Bull Racing looks on before the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202112120128 // Usage for editorial use only //
Amanda Newey, the wife of famed Foemula One designer Adrian Newey, has shed light on the cycling accident earlier this year that nearly killed the Red Bull Racing chief technical officer.
In a post on her official Instagram, on Sunday, Amanda said:
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing celebrates on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202112120280 // Usage for editorial use only //
The FIA has confirmed Max Verstappen as 2021 Formula One world champion after two appeals from Mercedes were thrown out after protesting the race result.
Ben's News Round-Up 