Simon Pagenaud starts a new chapter in his IndyCar career this season, switching from Team Penske, where he raced for the past seven years, to the up-and-coming Meyer Shank Racing team alongside Helio Castroneves.
Along with a switch to a new team, this year’s change also allows him to drive with Honda engines again for the first time since 2014.
Although the two engine manufacturers are very similar in overall performance, there are key differences, and drivers often work with technicians from each engine brand to ensure they are getting the most out of their power plant.
Now that Pagenaud and Honda are reunited for 2022, both are hoping to rekindle a bit of the old magic that boosted the Frenchman’s career years ago.
“I started racing in 2012 with Honda,” Pagenaud reminisced. “Honda brought me to sports car racing with Acura in 2008. Because of that I was able to go to Le Mans and drive for Peugeot.
“When Champ Car folded, I really had nothing going on. They did definitely push me to become that IndyCar driver they wanted. Sports car first and IndyCar, which was amazing.
“I learned so much in that time with Gil de Ferran and Honda, just learning about the technical aspects of racing. Obviously, we went to Team Penske and had a great stint with Chevrolet. But this next chapter of my career, indeed I’m going back to Honda.
“It does feel like family because what they’ve done for me at the very beginning. I’m working with almost the same people. It’s quite surprising to see familiar faces.
“For me it’s been very easy to get back into the rhythm of things, understand who to talk to, discuss how to develop the engine. It’s been fun for that as well.
“They want me to bring back the old Simon. I’ve been very excited about it. It’s been a nice start back I would say, yeah.”
Pagenaud will be hoping for some extra success to come from his revitalization, as the 37-year-old only has one win across the past two seasons, and has finished eighth in the championship both years.
The new relationship also places him with Meyer Shank Racing for the sports car side of his career, and he will be running the team’s Acura DPi in this weekend’s upcoming Rolex 24 from Daytona.
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