Graham Rahal has an concept of what traits his subsequent teammate could have at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL)in 2025.
When the checkered flag falls subsequent weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, it can mark an finish of the workforce’s present lineup consisting of Christian Lundgaard, Pietro Fittipaldi and Rahal. Lundgaard is certain for Arrow McLaren to interchange Alexander Rossi and full the workforce’s roster for subsequent yr alongside Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel.
Past Rahal, it stays a little bit of an unknown what RLL will appear like for 2025, however there may be an concept of what he’s in search of in a teammate.
“I believe what I am in search of is any individual that helps add to the equation,” mentioned Rahal, 35.
“We as a workforce should be shifting ahead, and we have to enhance. And that is the gist of it. I would like any individual that is going to have the ability to are available in and assist me. And so assist not solely me, however assist the workforce.
“We have to transfer ahead. We have to strive various things. We have to get higher. We discovered some great things at St. Louis [Gateway]. … However it will be nice to have any individual with expertise. I’ve not been shy about that.”
Eying Rossi?
Among the many notable free brokers Rahal identified was the very particular person his soon-to-be-ex-teammate is changing: Rossi.
“It might be nice to have a man like Alex, however clearly Pietro is doing a a lot better job,” Rahal continued. “I believe what folks do not see about Pietro, too, is his race tempo has at all times been very robust. He is an excellent racer. You already know, qualifying tempo, issues like which are going to enhance. However his race tempo could be very robust, which means good. Like he is a troublesome man; when he is behind you, he is on you want somewhat bulldog.”
Rahal additionally prolonged ideas to Juri Vips, the previous Crimson Bull reserve driver who was dropped from after utilizing a racial slur on a stay gaming stream in 2022. After making two begins with RLL on the finish of final season, Vips was retained because the workforce’s improvement driver this yr, additionally making a one-off look as a part of a fourth entry final month at Portland.
“After which, lastly, I’ve mentioned all alongside Juri deserves a shot; and if it is not with us, I hope any individual appears at Juri as a result of Juri is an expert,” Rahal mentioned.
“And I perceive what’s occurred previously, however we have to all transfer on. We have made errors in life; we gotta transfer ahead, and Juri is a proficient, proficient human being that deserves a chance, and I assumed final weekend he was a professional. He got here in; he was quick straight away, struggled somewhat bit in qualifying, struggled somewhat bit within the race, however these issues are to be anticipated.
“So let’s examine what occurs right here, man. I do not know proper now the place we’re at as a workforce. I do not know, , the place issues are going to finish up. However there’s numerous nice choices on the market, for positive.”
Pietro Fittipaldi, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda
Photograph by: Jake Galstad / Motorsport Photos
In circling again to Rossi, Rahal offered extra perception whereas additionally acknowledging that he might ultimately discover himself doubtlessly making workforce selections much like his father, 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Rahal, certainly one of three co-owners of RLL.
“I am a cheerleader for him [Rossi],” Rahal mentioned. “I at all times have been, stored in contact with him very intently for the reason that Andretti days and the place he might go. Look, guys, the details are the details, which is possibly some day I make these selections, however that day is just not in the present day. So, , I can have my opinions, I can say my piece; that does not imply that is what is going on to occur.”
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