Roger Penske confirmed that his team will keep only three cars for next year in Indy and praised the trio of drivers that should be kept for the 2023 season
Penske will maintain its three-car layout for the upcoming Indy season. After reducing its operation for the current season, with the departure of Frenchman Simon Pagenaud, Roger Penske revealed that the operation of the team will be the same in 2023. With five wins in eight races so far, the "captain" said that the reduction this year was a hit.
"We will have three cars next year," Roger told the American Racer website. "You always have a limit of what you can do. And I think we are being competitive now, we have a great group of drivers, good people. We had the pressure to be ready to start the sports car project with Porsche, and it was the right choice to run with three. So that's how we're going to stay. I can tell you one thing: three is a lot easier than four," Penske explained.
"On the other hand, we didn't deliver in Indianapolis, which was a big disappointment for me and the team. But we are having a great season here and we will see what happens now in the remaining races. A lot can happen in the last nine races. So we'll see, but I like the position we are in," celebrated the American manager.
The poor performance in the Indianapolis 500 made life difficult for its drivers in the fight for the Indy title. Marcus Ericsson, winner of the race, is the current championship leader, followed by Josef Newgarden and Will Power, both from Penske. After winning the first race and finishing second at Texas, Scott McLaughlin is in ninth place. Penske spared no praise for the trio, who are under contract with the team for next season.
"I think [Josef] Newgarden is at the top of his game. I would say [Will] Power has taken a totally different approach to his race car, with the team, on what he wants from the car and in every race this year. That's been a big help, and [Scott] McLaughlin gets better every year, every race," Roger valued.
"Well, that's our plan. I can't guarantee anything, but that's the plan. They will want to race with us and we will try to give them the tools to be winners. And so, I think we end up with three great drivers. I think we have a good stable, they're loyal, they're not going anywhere, and we'll keep going," Penske concluded.
Indy returns this Sunday (3) for the Mid-Ohio GP at the circuit located in Lexington, Ohio, with full coverage byBIG PRÊMIO. The start is scheduled for 1:50 pm (EST).