Graham Rahal will remain an IndyCar driver with Rahal Letterman Lanigan after signing a multi-year extension with the team part-owned by his father Bobby.
The 16-year veteran of the IndyCar Series joined RLL in 2013 and has raced with them every year since. However following his shock failure to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 this year, where all off RLL’s drivers struggled, Rahal made a one-off appearance in the race for Dreyer & Reinbold as a substitute for the injured Stefan Wilson.Rahal finished 15th in the IndyCar drivers’ standings in the 2023 season, but secured two pole positions in the final four rounds of the season. He also took a single podium finish during the second road course race at Indianapolis road course, chasing winner Scott Dixon home.
The 34-year-old will continue to race with the team for 2024 and beyond after confirming a new contract extension. Rahal said he was eager to “continue to build and improve” the team.
“At the end of the season, we saw some glimpses of what we can and should be,” Rahal said. “Obviously, there is a lot of work still to be done to ensure that we continue to grow and get ourselves in a place for continuous success but I’m excited about the signs that I saw.”
Team co-owner Bobby Rahal said his team must work on providing his son with a car that works to his strengths as a driver.
“Two pole positions, really within a fraction of a second for a third this year and led many laps – all of that should reaffirm to everyone what he is capable of,” said Bobby Rahal.
“He’s as driven as ever to win races and it’s exciting to watch. Clearly the efforts of the team over the off season are to ensure we have competitive cars at every race next year, including the Indy 500.”
Rahal famously won his debut race in the reunited IndyCar Series at St Petersburg in 2008. He has taken five further race wins in the series, but has not stood on the top step of the podium since 2017, and has never finished within the top three positions in the drivers standings in his IndyCar career.
He will be joined at RLL next season by team mates Christian Lundgaard and newcomer Pietro Fittipaldi.
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Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
13th November 2023, 22:26
I look forward to another multi-year of Rahal moaning in mid-race interviews
bull mello (@bullmello)
13th November 2023, 22:27
Not exactly a Bobby.
Nothing against Graham, just not of my favorite IndyCar drivers.
I guess one memory is when he drives through pits and onto the race track with a fuel hose sticking out of his car. If that happens, the driver should stop right away. But, whatever…
Free_B
14th November 2023, 0:12
He and Lance must be real buddies…
Asd
14th November 2023, 9:48
Oh stop, Graham is a good driver. His last two seasons have been weak, but the two previous once he finished 6th and 7th in the championship, which in the super packed IndyCar field is a very good result.
Sure, he has the backing of his father, but his place in the field has been earned.
Dane
14th November 2023, 15:43
At least Graham was good early in his career. He’s won a handful of races, but these days seems content to be moaning around the midfield.
Radoye
14th November 2023, 16:14
Not a top shelf driver but much better than many give him credit for. During the manufacturer bodykit era he single-handedly carried Honda. Also one of the nicer guys to meet in the paddock. I’m happy he’ll continue racing in IndyCar.
MPH
15th November 2023, 3:33
Why, because his name is a Rahal. Lundgaard showed him that a good driver could make a difference in a ‘mid field’ car. At this point he should just walk away.