After months of speculation and telling reporters that he’s interviewing ‘a multitude of drivers’, Sam Schmidt, owner of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports has confirmed James Hinchcliffe and Robert Wickens for 2018.
The move was expected within SPM. Wickens, 28, coming from Mercedes DTM, was part of a drive-swap promotion with Hinchcliffe and had created a friendly rapport with his fellow Canadian driver and SPM as a whole. The move also comes as Mercedes is winding down its DTM program, choosing to focus on Formula 1 and Formula E. In six seasons in DTM, Wickens won six races, and made the podium 15 times. SPM hope that with Wickens they have a pair that gives the team, stability and speed.
The all-Canadian pairing will be one to watch in 2018, as Hinchcliffe and Wickens prepare to take on IndyCar giants Andretti Autosport and Team Penske. The reigning Indianapolis 500-winning team and IndyCar championship-winning team, respectively.
Hinchcliffe is excited about the prospect of racing with Wickens, again. Tweeting a photo of the two as team-mates in A1 Grand Prix in 2008-09, with the caption “Welcome to the team, old friend.”
Twitter: Welcome to the team, old friend. https://t.co/jmLYWu71DK (@Hinchtown)
Schmidt told reporters that Wickens was a driver that they always had an eye on.
“We’re all very pleased to have Robert on board, and not just because he’s another Canadian,” he said. “He’s obviously someone who has been on our radar for some time now, and we’re excited about this new chapter in the SPM organization. We’ve been building a lot of momentum within the team and hope this latest addition will be a great next step as we move forward. I’m also really proud that we’ll be able to represent ‘Team Canada’ and be able to showcase two great Canadian athletes.”
It is unknown just how much of the ‘Team Canada’ motif the team will use in 2018, but if Schmidt’s statement is anything to go by, the sheer Canadian-ness of SPM at the moment; makes you cheer them on. Even if your loyalties lie elsewhere, and we’ll start seeing (more) Canadian flags everywhere at IndyCar venues.
