INDIANAPOLIS-all Tony Kanaan really wanted was a ride full-time in Indycar Series standings. A few days earlier, Gil de Ferran team owner delivered his gift.
On Monday, two Brazilian friends announced that they would work together for the 2011 season, a movement that instant credibility to Dragon Ferran race gives young team.
"I would like to mention Gil Santa because he had that white hair and big belly," joked Kanaan to a conference call with reporters. "I tried to explain to my kids that I went to Santa asking a gift, too."
Kanaan, known for its playful and distinguished image personality, is one of the most competitive drivers in the series.
In eight seasons of lead the team of Michael Andretti, Kanaan won 14 races, the title of the series of 2004 and never finished worse than sixth in points. He won the final race of the season in Iowa and finished sixth overall.
And these past three years, Kanaan, which transforms the 36 next week, has been the influence firming for younger teammates, including Danica Patrick. Usually he spent the month of may all four cars driving in the stables Andretti, although he has never won the Indianapolis 500. Flagrant Kanaan de CV a failure, it is hoped can help the Ferran to eliminate it.
Ferran, who won the Indianapolis 500, 2003 for Roger Penske, referred to as the owner of a team of first series last season driving. A Brazilian Raphael Matos was Ferran full-time rider last season with American Davey Hamilton led part-time for the team.
Get Kanaan, however, is an important step for Ferran.
"We have a very young and development company with great ambitions and I think Tony brings a wealth of experience", he said. "He is a champion, he is the winner of the race, it has all types of cars is precipitated in many situations." We hope that it a little more brings us close to be a major force in the IRL Izod IndyCar Series. »
Both also have a friendship that rises above the sport.
Kanaan acknowledged Monday that he and Ferran were waved with their families, and they are so close that Kanaan even could not explain when begun negotiations on this agreement. The provisions of the contract are not immediately available.
The team announced a major sponsor, but Kanaan will have a new number - 2.
"I looked at him one day and he looked at me and said that he ' should we talk about?" "." Kanaan has said. I said"Yes. "»
Things are not official, although at the Monday announcement.
Kanaan future with motorcycling Andretti has been introduced in case of doubt, where 7-Eleven announced last year that it was sponsored by long date Kanaan green and white nr. car 11 would end. In October, Kanaan and Andretti has accepted a settlement that essentially Kanaan free agent.
Andretti team has undergone major changes to the shoulder - lose Kanaan and three major sponsorship deals, including 7-Eleven. For the first time in years, it seems the team will be less than four pilots, and it will not be the same Kanaan, in collaboration with another team in gasoline Alley.
But it is an image of Canaan and the Ferran will cherish.
"I am to get attention for myself." "It feels good," said Kanaan. "He was eight, almost nine years with a great team, so it took me some time to get accustomed to, but in a way that I think this is very good." Enjoy every moment of it. Everything is reduced to me. "I am just trying to get."
Of Ferran did a said step or Hamilton would part-time return in 2011, or if there is a second pilot full-time add, but he has already said he would prefer a team of two cars.
"I think that the rest of our plans is known in a timely manner," said Ferran. "Hopefully, we'll make more announcements in the near future." It was excellent Davey last year, and if we can do once more next year, we would.
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