Pagenaud Lands IZOD IndyCar Series Drive With Schmidt In 2012
December 08, 2011 | By
Frenchman Simon Pagenaud will drive a Honda-powered Dallara for Sam Schmidt Motorsports in the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series, team owner Sam Schmidt announced Dec. 8 during a press conference in Indianapolis.
SSM team manager Rob Edwards and Pagenaud joined Schmidt at the press conference in the Indiana Convention Center during the International Motorsports Industry Show in downtown Indianapolis.
Pagenaud, 27, brings a wealth of experience driving several types of high-horsepower cars in his career. In 2011, he was a factory Honda driver in the 12 Hours of Sebring and a factory Peugeot driver in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing second in both events. Pagenaud also raced in V8 Supercars and rally, and he made three IZOD IndyCar Series starts in 2011 substituting for injured drivers Ana Beatriz at Barber Motorsports Park, Justin Wilson at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Simona de Silvestro at Infineon Raceway.
“I am delighted to be joining the IZOD Indy Car Series full time with Sam Schmidt Motorsports and Honda,” Pagenaud said. “The series represents the most competitive racing in the world right now, and I am really looking forward to the challenge of racing in a single-seater again. I have to thank Sam Schmidt Motorsports for giving me the opportunity and to continue with the Honda engineers at HPD. It is the best situation I could wish for.”
Pagenaud started his career racing karts near his home in Montmorillon, France. He moved steadily through karts and into formula cars in Europe from 1994 to 2005. At the end of that run, he made the decision to steer his career path through the United States. In 2006, he made the move to Indianapolis, where his career took off.
“America has been a lucky charm to me, really,” Pagenaud said. “The start of it was 2006, when I won the Champ Car Atlantic Championship with Walker Racing, which allowed me to enter the Champ Car Series in 2007.”
His rookie year in Champ Car was also his last as the series dissolved when Indy car racing was unified. Pagenaud finished eighth in his rookie season. Though he was out of an Indy car seat, his stock quickly rose when he became a factory driver for Honda Performance Development.
Teaming with car owner Gil de Ferran in 2008 and 2009, Pagenaud won five American Le Mans Series LMP1 races and earned seven poles and several podium finishes. In 2010, he switched to the Highcroft Racing team and, with co-driver David Brabham, won the American Le Mans Series LMP1 championship with four wins and three poles.
“We are very fortunate to land a driver of Simon’s caliber for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series season,” Schmidt said. “As all the teams work to develop the new cars and engines, his diverse experience will be invaluable to us. Simon has a strong relationship with Honda and its engineers, which is also a huge asset. This is a big day for Sam Schmidt Motorsports.”
The 2012 season will be a reunion for Pagenaud and members of the SSM IndyCar team. Edwards was team manager with Walker Racing when it won the 2006 Atlantic championship with Pagenaud. In addition to Edwards, several current SSM crew members also worked with Pagenaud at Walker Racing.
“I am thrilled to be renewing my relationship with Simon after working together in 2006 when he won the Atlantic championship and then graduated to Champ Car in 2007,” Edwards said. “He has continued to develop since then and is clearly deserving of a full-time ride in the IZOD IndyCar Series. We are excited that he will have that opportunity with Sam Schmidt Motorsports in 2012 and look forward to a successful rookie season with him.”
Pagenaud will attempt to make his first Indianapolis 500 start in the 96th edition of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday, May 27 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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