The driver line-up for the 2024 IndyCar season was finalized just days before the season-opener, but the most significant moves were made, or controversially abandoned, the previous summer.
According to the rankings, Drivers Colin Braun, Jack Harvey, and Nolan Siegel are ranked 9th and 10th respectively. The team has opted for an all-new line-up, with Jack Harvey participating in 14 races and Nolan Siegel in the remaining four. The #51 car will only have Colin Braun for the first two races. Despite finishing last in the rankings, there is still a nostalgic affection for the team. Matt Beer and Sam Smith appreciate the team’s history, stating that it is a departure from the days of having less reputable drivers.
Drivers Santino Ferrucci and Sting Ray Robb are ranked 9th and 10th respectively. Sting Ray Robb replaces Benjamin Pedersen in the team, and Santino Ferrucci’s oval performances have saved the team from being at the bottom of the rankings. Ferrucci’s talent is recognized by Josh Suttill, who believes that not many drivers could have achieved what Ferrucci did in the Indy 500 last year.
Drivers Ed Carpenter, Christian Rasmussen, and Rinus VeeKay are ranked 7th and 8th respectively. Christian Rasmussen, the reigning Indy NXT champion, is expected to perform well in the IndyCar series. The team’s boss, Ed Carpenter, will also be sharing a car, which means he won’t have to qualify first on the ovals. The team has high hopes for Rinus VeeKay, but doubts have been raised about his recent performances.
Drivers Agustin Canapino and Romain Grosjean are ranked 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. Agustin Canapino impressed as a rookie despite having no single-seater experience and not speaking English initially. Romain Grosjean is the most anticipated driver in the team, with questions surrounding his performance. The team hopes to see the rookie version of Grosjean rather than the veteran version. The combination of Canapino and Grosjean is expected to bring excitement but also unpredictability.
Drivers Tom Blomqvist and Felix Rosenqvist are ranked 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th respectively. The team’s line-up has received mixed rankings, with some placing them as high as fourth and others as low as eighth. The debate centers around Felix Rosenqvist and his performance. Tom Blomqvist’s return to single-seaters after a long break has raised some caution among observers. Despite this, the team is seen as a consistent dark horse.
Drivers Pietro Fittipaldi, Christian Lundgaard, and Graham Rahal are ranked 5th and 6th respectively. Pietro Fittipaldi was chosen over Juri Vips, despite Vips’ impressive performances in 2023. Fittipaldi is looking for redemption after previous unsuccessful stints. Christian Lundgaard is considered a star and a potential future driver for Penske. Graham Rahal is seen as a safe and reliable driver who can score points consistently.
Drivers David Malukas, Pato O’Ward, and Alexander Rossi are ranked 4th and 5th respectively. Pato O’Ward is recognized as one of the top drivers in the series, while concerns have been raised about Alexander Rossi’s recent performances. David Malukas is relatively inexperienced and there are doubts about his ability to perform at the top level.
Drivers Marcus Ericsson, Colton Herta, and Kyle Kirkwood are ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. The team has downsized to three cars, with Marcus Ericsson joining the line-up. The team is hopeful that this change, along with Ericsson’s experience and consistent approach, will improve their performance. There are high expectations for Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood, who are considered talented drivers. However, questions remain about Ericsson’s speed and his teammates’ consistency over the course of a season.
Drivers Marcus Armstrong, Scott Dixon, Linus Lundqvist, Alex Palou, and Kyffin Simpson are ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. The team is divided into two camps, with some ranking Ganassi first based on Alex Palou and Scott Dixon’s performances. Others have concerns about the inexperience of the other three drivers in the line-up. Despite this, Palou and Dixon are seen as exceptional drivers who elevate the team’s ranking.
Drivers Scott McLaughlin, Josef Newgarden, and Will Power are ranked 1st, 2nd, and 3rd respectively. This line-up has remained unchanged for a fourth season. Josef Newgarden’s win in the Indy 500 last year has solidified his position as a top driver. Will Power had a challenging start to the previous season due to personal circumstances, but he remains a dependable driver. Scott McLaughlin has excelled on road courses and has improved his performance on ovals.
Overall, the rankings reflect the strengths and weaknesses of each team’s driver line-up. Each team has its own unique combination of drivers, with some teams having more experienced drivers while others have a mix of experienced and rookie drivers. The upcoming season will determine how well these line-ups perform on the track.