Just over a week before the IndyCar season resumes at the oval of Gateway more changes in the driver line-ups were announced. First of all Agustín Canapino was dropped by Juncos Hollinger Racing.
The Argentine driver drove all but one races this season for Juncos, as he was benched for the race on Road America after Theo Pourchaire was on the receiving end of online abuse by Canapino’s fanbase. His best finish in a championship race was 12th, both in 2024 and in his rookie season in 2023. He also managed a tenth place in this years exhibition race at Thermal Club.
“We would like to express our sincere thanks to Agustín for making the jump to one of the fastest and most competitive categories in the world, trusting in JHR and everything this series represents,” the team said.
“Both Agustín and the team have worked hard to learn, grow and achieve success during their time with JHR, and we are extremely proud of what we have achieved together. We wish him the best in his racing career and hope to meet again in future projects.”
A replacement for Canapino in the #78 car has not been announced yet.
The second announcement got a bit lost in the wake of Canapino’s news, but Jüri Vips will return to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
The Estonian driver will enter the Portland Grand Prix in the #75 car, which previously was driven by Takuma Sato during the Indianapolis 500.
Last year Vips made his IndyCar debut for RLL in Portland, finishing 18th. His second race in Laguna Seca proved less fruitful, as he was eliminated during a first lap pile-up.
“I’m very grateful to the team for giving me this opportunity,” Vips said. “I have been working closely with the team on the simulator program and it has been a year since I have been in the car, but I’m confident that the experience gained last year at Portland and Laguna Seca will help me to get up to speed quickly. It will still be a very big challenge and one I am very much looking forward to.”
Team owner Bobby Rahal was delighted to field a fourth car for the former Formula 2 driver, who has done simulator work for RLL in the season.
“We’re pleased to be able to run Juri in Portland for a number of reasons. For one, he showed at both Portland and Laguna Seca last year that he certainly has the pace to feature in any event he runs with us. He has done a lot of work for us in the simulator this year, which has helped us understand the hybrid system, so it’s nice to reward him for his effort. I’m hopeful that this will lead to more races for him with RLL.”
