Chip Ganassi Racing is embarking on a brand new chapter with it’s famed #9 IndyCar entry, signing Christian Lundgaard to the seat for 2027.
Lundgaard shall be beginning his sixth season within the collection subsequent 12 months, and could have a brand new tradition to adapt to by time the primary race comes round in March.
Talking in regards to the choice to rent the 25-year-old, Chip Ganassi associated that his mentality and values have been a few of the first issues introduced up in dialog a couple of attainable working relationship.
“I’ll be sincere with you,” mentioned Ganassi. “He’ll let you know that in a few of our first conferences – properly, not solely with Christian, with any driver today.
“Drivers that make it to this degree of racing, I don’t get into speaking in regards to the efficiency or what setup they like or what springs they like or issues like that. I don’t get into the technical facet of issues.
“I wish to know what they’re fabricated from, what their values are. Christian will let you know, I grilled him fairly extensively by way of what we anticipate and what we wish, what’s essential and what’s not essential.
“Yeah, now we have an incredible tradition that Mike Hull and his staff have constructed round there, and we attempt to push that down on different folks, whether or not it’s on-track actions or off-track actions.
“I’m assured that our system will proceed to develop Christian in the identical method.”
Efficiency nonetheless issues
Although Ganassi went to lengths to make sure Lundgaard could be match for his group, he additionally didn’t overlook his expertise.
The Danish driver’s two wins this season, which got here proper as he was turning into a free agent, certainly helped to boost his standing amongst people who have been desirous about having him on board.
Although criticism of Lundgaard’s driving is tough to return by, it has been talked about that his oval efficiency might nonetheless use some work.
Solely one among his 16 podiums has come on an oval, however Ganassi instantly recalled the race the place that podium got here and used it to additional justify his choice.
“I believe I like his method to driving,” continued the long-time staff proprietor. “I believe he’s very scientific. He appears to be a pupil of the craft.
“I’m optimistic. He didn’t appear to have these form of oval questions — I didn’t see any of these questions at Milwaukee; he appeared to do okay there. That’s an oval, and he beat all three of our guys. So I’m not overly involved.”
Lundgaard’s first race with CGR would be the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 7.
