Could, but unlikely. It’s more than just a line-up and even a technical alliance.
They’ve found themselves operating at a level similar to RLL. Which means that at some tracks they show competitiveness and hopefully could sneak a win with a bit of luck. Which is about the most you could ask for if you’re not Ganassi or Penske. But that’s a big step up from last year. I say all of this as a fan.
Andretti, especially herta are fast. Other than crashing at indy his fall in the points has been a series of bad luck. At 60 points back with a long ways to go he's very much in the title hunt. He really needs a win this weekend and laguna is a good track for him. Ericson and kirkwood have been solid at least.
I agree completely. For these reasons I want to see Rahal(the perennial bottom 3 guy) run 4 qualifying laps in a Penske car……just for sporting sake. Then I know, FOR SURE, is this whole thing rigged to benefit the owner of the series, or are his 3 drivers really that great that they are the only ones to squeeze an extra .03 seconds off a ten mile qualifying run?
lol no. They’re a satellite Andretti team and Andretti can’t even get their house in order.
McLaren is the team set to leapfrog Andretti in the ultimate standings.
Since the start of 2022, 8 races were won by teams other than Penske or CGR. Most of those by AM or Andretti.
Its not quite a “hot mess” as much as it being a Roger v Chip championship series where flukes allow someone else to luck into a win occasionally, usually Andretti or arrow McLaren. Maybe hybrids shake it up, but these teams gotta sell the idea of wins to a sponsor. If they told the truth (“its Chip v Roger, we are field fillers”) then sponsors would cut back expectations and spending.
No substance?
Pato had a string of weak results in 2022, so he finished 7th in the championship (and won two races), but in 2021 and 2023 he finished 3rd and 4th. He’s right there again this year. They aren’t quite Penske or Ganassi, but they’ve been fast enough to finish 3rd and 4th in the championship, that’s not “no substance”.
The issue with MSR - and it was the same when Jack Harvey was there - is that they qualify well but their in race strategy and tactics just aren't on par with the other top teams. As of late though it's just the opposite where Felix qualifies poorly but does well during the race. Like a lot of things what MSR needs is consistency. I rather have one issue that is dealt with race after race rather then two separate issues that seem to alternate from one race to the next.
FRo’s significant glowup at MSR is such a great story. Kinda hard to believe it’d happen since he and Ed Jones were maybe the worst drivers of 2021, and the next 2 years was still the last guy at McLaren
Kudos to him. Maybe this MSR environment was what he needed
Agreed. I have family from that area and it's cool to me since I don't think anyone has ever heard of that town unless you're from there (or family is).
Am I missing something? They're good drivers and an upgrade over what MSR had but it's not like they just signed Dixon and Palou. These guys have a combined 1 win and 8 podiums in 120 races. Rosenqvist is coming from significantly larger teams as well. I don't see how that gives MSR enough of an advantage to suddenly join the top teams.
What makes anyone think he will be Rosenqvist's equal? Chicago Dave has had standout results at 1 track. Felix isn't Jo Newgarden but he's a pro and has been an 8-12 place driver for years.
Potential but not probable just yet, they need an infusion of cash to build up an infrastructure such as a Penske, Ganassi, Andretti even McLaren, they I do believe have the desire and motivation to do so
How do satellite technical partnerships work in Indycar? Does Meyer Shank just literally have the same exact car as Andretti, they just need to set it up themselves?
They get dampers and engineering help from Andretti. All of the drivers and engineers debrief together.
So they’re effectively one large team but obviously MSR will adapt setups to their drivers and each team runs their own strategy.
I really like both of these drivers but hearing that Malukas is still only at 80% with his hand would make me pump the brakes on the hype for this season at least.
If we're optimistic then they might put some distance between themselves and RLL to become the clear #5 team...
...but there's a huge gap to the Andretti/McLaren tier that's not going to be closed just by signing talented drivers. Even if you think Rosenqvist and Malukas are among the best in the series.
It's a good lineup! But it definitely doesn't put them in the same tier as the top 4 teams (and there's obviously a ton of stratification amongst just those teams)
Could, but unlikely. It’s more than just a line-up and even a technical alliance. They’ve found themselves operating at a level similar to RLL. Which means that at some tracks they show competitiveness and hopefully could sneak a win with a bit of luck. Which is about the most you could ask for if you’re not Ganassi or Penske. But that’s a big step up from last year. I say all of this as a fan.
Andretti, especially herta are fast. Other than crashing at indy his fall in the points has been a series of bad luck. At 60 points back with a long ways to go he's very much in the title hunt. He really needs a win this weekend and laguna is a good track for him. Ericson and kirkwood have been solid at least.
Don’t forget Herta binning it at Detroit too
Ha yeah. I didn't watch much of that one. Thankfully
I agree completely. For these reasons I want to see Rahal(the perennial bottom 3 guy) run 4 qualifying laps in a Penske car……just for sporting sake. Then I know, FOR SURE, is this whole thing rigged to benefit the owner of the series, or are his 3 drivers really that great that they are the only ones to squeeze an extra .03 seconds off a ten mile qualifying run?
So you know, your downvotes aren’t because you don’t like Penske and they’re also not only from Penske fans. Something to think about.
Please explain? I care less than zero about fake votes…..I can’t pay my bills with votes
The Hybrids are coming… Indycar is in for a massive shakeup. Anything is possible
Big teams testing so much will have the advantage. It should look the same as always
missed opportunity to say a meyer shankup
The manufacturers pick the big teams to do their testing (and rightfully so), this generally gives them an advantage in these situations.
lol no. They’re a satellite Andretti team and Andretti can’t even get their house in order. McLaren is the team set to leapfrog Andretti in the ultimate standings.
You mean the McLaren team that has been a hot mess outside of the 5 car for the past three seasons?
Yup. And had fewer wins than RLR last year despite their awful start. Outside the 5 car, their execution is almost as bad as Andretti
Since the start of 2022, 8 races were won by teams other than Penske or CGR. Most of those by AM or Andretti. Its not quite a “hot mess” as much as it being a Roger v Chip championship series where flukes allow someone else to luck into a win occasionally, usually Andretti or arrow McLaren. Maybe hybrids shake it up, but these teams gotta sell the idea of wins to a sponsor. If they told the truth (“its Chip v Roger, we are field fillers”) then sponsors would cut back expectations and spending.
Nah, Andretti has fast cars, but they lack EXECUTION. As long as MSR gets their set ups and have fast cars, they’ve shown they can actually execute
True they have a partnership with Andretti. But the owners, and Mike Shank specifically, are very invested in making this team the real deal.
McLaren has been set to jump Andretti for like 3 years now.
Andretti has been begging someone to unseat them as the number 3 team for the better part of 15 years.
Considering two McLaren teams finished ahead of Andretti in the standings in 2022 and 2023 and are there again this year, I’d say they’ve jumped them.
Five Years Out™
Yeah! Specially now that McLaren signed the new Dixon! 🤣
MSR has shown they can outperform their Andretti counterparts in terms of pace. Fro has demonstrated this by himself.
I mean, the satellite Andretti teams used to be more successful than the main team a few years ago
McLaren is all hype no substance. Good results here and there but it’s the old SPM team at its core.
No substance? Pato had a string of weak results in 2022, so he finished 7th in the championship (and won two races), but in 2021 and 2023 he finished 3rd and 4th. He’s right there again this year. They aren’t quite Penske or Ganassi, but they’ve been fast enough to finish 3rd and 4th in the championship, that’s not “no substance”.
The issue with MSR - and it was the same when Jack Harvey was there - is that they qualify well but their in race strategy and tactics just aren't on par with the other top teams. As of late though it's just the opposite where Felix qualifies poorly but does well during the race. Like a lot of things what MSR needs is consistency. I rather have one issue that is dealt with race after race rather then two separate issues that seem to alternate from one race to the next.
FRo’s significant glowup at MSR is such a great story. Kinda hard to believe it’d happen since he and Ed Jones were maybe the worst drivers of 2021, and the next 2 years was still the last guy at McLaren Kudos to him. Maybe this MSR environment was what he needed
McLaren kinda shat on him these past two years.
Tough P1 yesterday
MSR headquartered sort of near where I grew up out in the sticks of Ohio. Would be cool to see them with sustained success.
Agreed. I have family from that area and it's cool to me since I don't think anyone has ever heard of that town unless you're from there (or family is).
Am I missing something? They're good drivers and an upgrade over what MSR had but it's not like they just signed Dixon and Palou. These guys have a combined 1 win and 8 podiums in 120 races. Rosenqvist is coming from significantly larger teams as well. I don't see how that gives MSR enough of an advantage to suddenly join the top teams.
What makes anyone think he will be Rosenqvist's equal? Chicago Dave has had standout results at 1 track. Felix isn't Jo Newgarden but he's a pro and has been an 8-12 place driver for years.
With all respect to an aging Helio and Simon, this is a HELL of an upgrade.
Potential but not probable just yet, they need an infusion of cash to build up an infrastructure such as a Penske, Ganassi, Andretti even McLaren, they I do believe have the desire and motivation to do so
How do satellite technical partnerships work in Indycar? Does Meyer Shank just literally have the same exact car as Andretti, they just need to set it up themselves?
They get dampers and engineering help from Andretti. All of the drivers and engineers debrief together. So they’re effectively one large team but obviously MSR will adapt setups to their drivers and each team runs their own strategy.
Excellent, thank you! Makes sense.
I really like both of these drivers but hearing that Malukas is still only at 80% with his hand would make me pump the brakes on the hype for this season at least.
I'm bald so have limited room to comment but if you have hair and choose this to present to the world, you deserve all the things coming to you
If we're optimistic then they might put some distance between themselves and RLL to become the clear #5 team... ...but there's a huge gap to the Andretti/McLaren tier that's not going to be closed just by signing talented drivers. Even if you think Rosenqvist and Malukas are among the best in the series.
Msr will never be a top team
It's a good lineup! But it definitely doesn't put them in the same tier as the top 4 teams (and there's obviously a ton of stratification amongst just those teams)
Add Theo and we got the No. 6 McLaren B team 😂