Andretti Global is set to end its technical partnership with Meyer Shank Racing at the end of the 2024 season.
The alliance first started in 2017 with MSR’s first attempt at the Indianapolis 500 with Jack Harvey, as he entered the race as an additional entry with Andretti.
The two teams forged a technical partnership for the 2020 IndyCar season after MSR parted ways with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, with Andretti providing personnel and components to support the smaller outfit.
Now, it seems that this arrangement is due to conclude at the end of the year as MSR embarks on a new alliance with Chip Ganassi Racing.
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Andretti Global are not looking to enter another technical partnership anytime soon
The multi-year arrangement will see MSR receive full technical support from the defending IndyCar champions and some CGR members will be sent to run the formers’ No. 60 and No. 66 Hondas as they plan to cut their line-up down to three cars.
MSR co-owner Mike Shank revealed that they will still run the team and pick their drivers – with a decision set to be made soon on David Malukas’ replacement as he makes the move to A. J. Foyt next season – while they work with CGR on the technical side of the operation.
The future of Andretti in IndyCar has been debated in recent weeks, with it being suggested that they could be set to change from Honda to Chevrolet engines.
However, speaking with RACER, the team’s COO Rob Edwards debunked these rumours and explained that this is a key reason why Andretti is not looking to enter another technical agreement anytime soon.
“The relationship with MSR has been unique in the level of trust and cooperation and just transparency and everything working with Mike [Shank] and Jim [Meyer],” he said.
“So I don’t think we’re looking to do another technical relationship just for the sake of doing something.”
“Despite the paddock rumour that we’re about to change to a new manufacturer, we’re not about to change to a new manufacturer. And so candidly, that limits the pool of potential technical partners.
“At this point, there are no plans to do another technical partnership.
“But that doesn’t mean it’s not something that we don’t believe has value. We’re just not sure that the right partner is necessarily out there at the moment.”
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The drivers’ championship is heating up at IndyCar heads to Portland
Andretti’s drivers find themselves in a good place for a strong finish in the standings this season, with one close to being top of the pile.
Colton Herta moved to second place after he finished fifth in a chaotic race at Gateway that saw Josef Newgarden controversially take victory.
With champion leader Alex Palou finishing fourth, Herta sits 59 points behind the Spaniard with four races to go.
Kyle Kirkwood has enjoyed a solid campaign thus far, sitting seventh in the standings with one podium and a top 10 finish in all but three races.
Marcus Ericsson has also achieved one podium this season, but a string of retirements has left him 13th in the standings at IndyCar heads to the final road course of the season at Portland.