The team boss assured that David Malukas and Takuma Sato are "99% sure" for 2023 and, for the third car at Indy, the favorite for the spot is Linus Lundqvist
Dale Coyne announced on Friday (29) its intention to put a third car on the IndyCar Series grid for the 2023 season. The team boss, in an interview with Autosport, also said he is 99% sure of keeping rookie David Malukas and two-time Indy 500 champion Takuma Sato under his umbrella for next year.
Malukas was Indy Lights runner-up in 2021 and is only four points behind Rahal's Christian Lundgaard in the Rookie of the Year standings. Coyne wants to keep the 45-year-old veteran as it believes in the Japanese driver's contribution with his oval knowledge and the evolution of his teammate. Sato is 19th in the championship, with 184 points.
Dale was eager for the confirmation of the duo for 2023. "We have contact for David and Takuma for next season, so I am 99% sure they will both stay. The contracts are different from each other: Sato, if he wants to retire, he can. But if he stays, it is up to us. Malukas signed for two years," he said.
Coyne praised Sato's work in 2022, although he is aiming for better days following the season. "He's as excited about Indy as he's ever been, I believe he has a few more years left in him. He rode very well in Texas and Detroit, which are very different tracks, he went very fast in all the practice sessions. We didn't get a win or a podium, but we have potential until the end of the year.
The team boss likes Malukas' determination and willingness to learn from his teammate. "David does a great job. I give him a lot of credit, first for his speed compared to Takuma, then for listening and learning from the voice of experience," he stressed.
Coyne maintains his intention to put a third car on the grid, but knows that the operation is difficult to pull off, with the shortage of engineers, mechanics and experienced drivers. "I would say that now is a good time to do it, because in 2024 - when hybrid engines are introduced - there will be a different engineering requirement than usual. So why not get our people together now and be more cohesive with three cars to be better prepared for 2024?" he inquired.
The young driver profile is what most arouses Dale Coyne's attention. Right now, the most highly rated is Linus Lundqvist, Formula Regional America champion in 2020 and third in Indy Lights in 2021 behind Kyle Kirkwood and Malukas. "Linus is a good name, he has been fast, can take care of the car and doesn't make many mistakes. Our idea is to bring in a rookie, we like that." About Lights engineers, the hypothesis, for now, is ruled out, being more likely to look for veteran professionals to fill the vacancies and work hard for this third car.
Free practice for the Indianapolis GP 2 is scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. (GMT-3) on Friday (29). Qualifying will start at 2 pm.GRANDE PRÊMIO will follow all the activities.