IndyCar’s Chip Ganassi Racing Announces Driver Development Program
Chip Ganassi Racing, a 16-time IndyCar Series Championship Team in a 29-year period, announced a driver development program at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on November 7.
The driver development program leverages its championship-winning formula to create strategic partnerships across motorsports as a development pipeline to the top level of motorsports in North America.
According to the team, the program will allow CGR to identify talent competing with its partner teams at an earlier age and help provide a home for drivers as they develop in the CGR ecosystem.
"Young race drivers should have unselfish support to develop from a young age," said Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull. "The defined ladder steps are only the first chapter. The match of an open mind with a diversified plan becomes the best avenue for career development. To become successful at the highest level starts with a disciplined structure. The creation of the separation mindset starts away from the race track which feeds the on-track choices.
"Finding the best functional race team avenues speeds career development. Mentoring within the CGR ethic feeds on-going growth."
Drivers with partner teams will be included in CGR programs based out of its state-of-the-art shop in Indianapolis including physical, mental and media training, technical education, simulator training, business development and a presence at select IndyCar Series events.
The program launches with two organizations, with more team partnership announcements planned.
A distinguishing feature of the program is the utilization of partnering teams to place drivers in competitive cars across motorsports with the goal of developing well-rounded skills. It will include a network of organizations competing in open wheel racing, sports cars, karting, and more.
The teams already confirmed include:
Kiwi Motorsport – is a Formula 4 and Formula Regional team key in the development of Formula 1 drivers Brendon Hartley, Daniil Kvyat and Franco Colapinto. The team has won five of the last six team championships in the U.S. Formula 4 Championship and the 2019 and 2023 drivers' championships. The team also has two drivers' and team championships in Formula Regional Americas.
"Kiwi Motorsport is thrilled to partner with CGR and be involved with the development program.," said Kiwi Motorsport co-owners Teena Larsen and Garry Orton. "Kiwi Motorsport, like CGR, has been a dominant team in the series it competes in, running Formula 4 in the United States and Formula Regional Series in United States, Macau and New Zealand. It is our team's aim to help find the next IndyCar champion."
Palou Motorsport - is the Eurocup-3 team started by CGR IndyCar driver Alex Palou and his father, Ramon, just two years ago. In 2023, the team finished third in the inaugural Eurocup-3 team championship.
"We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Chip Ganassi Racing, a team that exemplifies the level of excellence we at Palou Motorsport aspire to achieve," said Ramon Palou, Director, Palou Motorsport. "With 16 IndyCar championships and countless other victories, CGR sets the standard in motorsport. This collaboration will accelerate our mission to develop young talent, and we can't wait to embark on this journey together."
Drivers receive mental, physical and technical training at CGR's Indianapolis shop, home to 23 championships, including 16 IndyCar championships, seven IMSA championships, five Indianapolis 500 victories, eight Rolex 24 at Daytona wins along with many others.
