Heading into Saturday, the two-time Rolex 24 overall winner expects the final push to be the same, with Blomqvist handing the reigns over to the Brazilian for the finish.

Last season, Castroneves anchored the final hour to secure the victory. “So I’m like, ‘OK guys, set up the car for me, I’ll jump in, and I’ll drive, OK?'”ĭespite the lack of experience with a hybrid system, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner is primed to find his rhythm when it’s time to maneuver around the 3.56-mile road course. I’m probably the worst one of them, because I’m the oldest,” Castroneves joked. “We want to actually make sure that everybody at least knows what to do. Competing in open-wheel racing since the late 1990s, naturally doesn’t come with as much experience with the latest and greatest electric technology. But, everybody’s been as open as they could be to make sure we know when we jump in, it has no surprise.”Ĭastroneves, 47, anchors the MSR group as the oldest driver in the lineup. “This feels very different than before, because of the lack of timing with this equipment. “So everyone has been very well communicative to make sure not only what you do when you’re driving, but when you give it to the next guy, making sure that the settings are also the same way so that nobody has any surprises. I’m glad you said that.’ Helio Castroneves celebrates with his Meyer Shank Racing teammates after winning the Rolex 24 last year. “So everyone is saying something that, ‘Oh, I didn’t pick up that from the engineer. “The biggest help has been all the drivers’ communication with each other, because everyone is learning,” Castroneves said. Those conversations among co-drivers Blomqvist, Simon Pagenaud and Colin Braun have been useful for the group, as they’ve adjusted to the nuances of a hybrid powertrain during the Roar Before The Rolex 24 last week. “It’s important to learn early so that you can understand the conversation when they talk about it.” Whether it’s GT, GTP, whatever it is, even Ind圜ar has moved toward that direction. But I do believe the basics will be like that for the future of racing. “I’m not sure if I’m going to be still racing, and the technology is taking over. Even as a driving style, it’s a little bit different,” Castroneves said. 60 group, with co-driver Tom Blomqvist notching the pole for the team ahead of the twice-around-the-clock grind.Īlong with a front row start, MSR and Castroneves are the defending overall winners of the endurance race. (Robby Noonan Photo)ĭespite the early challenges, it’s been a stellar start to the week for the No.

It’s not so much just you driving the car, but the computer is also trying to help you.” The No.

“Literally, everything is generated by a computer. “Just understanding, ‘What can I use to make my performance better?’ “You have so many more tools inside the car with the technology that we are facing today,” Castroneves told SPEED SPORT. With the debut of the Grand Touring Prototype class, it also marked the first hybrid-powered race cars to compete in the series.įor Meyer Shank Racing’s Helio Castroneves, the new generation of prototype will bring a new set of challenge compared to last season’s Daytona Prototype International machine. A new form of race car has been introduced to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season beginning with this weekend’s Rolex 24 At Daytona at Daytona Int’l Speedway.

Helio castroneves race car