Carlin’s Max Chilton has decided against racing at ovals for rest of the 2019 IndyCar season due to ‘risk management’.
In a bold step, ex-F1 racer Chilton has decided to not compete at oval circuits for the rest of the 2019 IndyCar season as Conor Daly steps up to fill the #59 Chevrolet car for the upcoming round at Texas Motor Speedway, this weekend.
Chilton will miss four oval outings in 2019 which includes Iowa, Pocono and St. Louis after Texas. The British racer has cited ‘risk management’ as his reason for giving up his Carlin seat as he gives priority to his well-being and safety in a massive call.
“I would like to thank Gallagher for being supportive of my decision to not compete in the remaining oval races this season – I am extremely fortunate to have such a supportive partner,” said Chilton. “Risk Management is a central consideration of both Gallagher and myself in how we operate.
“I’m excited and pleased by the outstanding proactive work being done by INDYCAR around driver safety and the innovation of the solution developed in partnership with Red Bull Advanced Technologies that has created a new aero screen.
“The innovative solution will be the most advanced single seater driver head protection in the world and will be introduced in 2020. My focus remains on getting the best possible results for the No. 59 Gallagher Carlin crew and I will be helping the team and Conor in any way I can to that end.”
Chilton moved to IndyCar in 2016 after racing a year in Indy Lights. In the four years so far with Chip Ganassi Racing and Carlin, the British racer has competed in all of the oval rounds with a best result of fourth in 2017 Indy500 at Indianapolis circuit.
While IndyCar has taken big steps towards improving safety of not only the cars but the circuits too, it still results in freak incidents like that of Robert Wickens last year. The cockpit safety will see a big change in 2020 with Red Bull’s Aeroscreen.
The circuit safety, however, remains a point of contention still. The British will, however, pilot the #59 in rest of the five road/street courses in the 2019 calendar. Meanwhile, Daly is excited to get the opportunity to race at Texas this weekend.
The American racer hasn’t managed to bring in the budget for full season but remains committed to getting one. “I want to thank everyone at Carlin and Gallagher for the opportunity to get back in a race car at Texas Motor Speedway,” he said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with Carlin back in 2011 as I started my European racing journey and to now drive for them in the NTT IndyCar Series is pretty special. I look forward to being able to contribute to the team as best I can.”
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