LEXINGTON, Ohio -- Michael Andretti admitted a switch from Honda to Chevrolet was a very real possibility that he serious considered. But in the end, the NTT IndyCar Series team owner credits the diligence and determination of Honda Performance Development (HPD) President Ted Klaus for reach a deal to keep Andretti Autosport a Honda team.
“The deciding factor was Honda really, really showed they wanted us,” Andretti said in an exclusive interview with NTT INDYCAR Mobile. “Ted coming in has really done a great job at forming a really good relationship with our family here, not just myself but everyone on the team.
“At that point, his actions were louder than his words on a positive way and that is what changed it.”
Andretti was willing to switch from Honda to Chevrolet in order to field a full-time NTT IndyCar Series team with McLaren beginning next season. The McLaren effort would have to be with a Chevy team because Honda Japan does not want to be involved in an IndyCar endeavor with McLaren after a falling out during the Formula One years that concluded after the 2017 season.
In order for McLaren to join INDYCAR, it will have to partner with a Chevrolet team. McLaren CEO Zak Brown has a long business relationship with Andretti and ideally, both wanted to do business with each other.
But in the end, Klaus was far more convincing that Honda was the right place to be for Andretti Autosport. By signing a long-term contract extension with Honda, Andretti Autosport was able to move forward and sign star driver Alexander Rossi to a three-year deal with an option year.
Honda plans on making Rossi its lead test driver when INDYCAR goes to the 2.4-liter engine formula in 2021.
Keeping Rossi as an Andretti Autosport driver was very important to Andretti and his best chance at keeping the talented kid from California would be with Honda.
“We had to look at all of that, including McLaren,” Andretti said. “It’s going to suck if I see McLaren out there with another team because we worked so hard to make that happen. Zak and I are really close and wanted to make it work. We are partners in Australia. It will be really awkward if he makes it work somewhere else.
“I think a lot still has to happen for McLaren to come over, but they are not quitters. What happened at Indianapolis in May is going to make them more determined than ever. That is their mentality.
“Unfortunately, it won’t happen with us because they can’t work together with Honda. That means they would have to come in with a Chevy team.”
Andretti staying with Honda creates a strong creative balance in the NTT IndyCar Series between Honda and Chevrolet. Plus, Honda and Andretti have made an investment in two of the young star drivers in the series, 27-year-old Alexander Rossi and 19-year-old Colton Herta at Harding Steinbrenner Racing.
Klaus knew there was no way Honda could let such young, top talent get away and he was able to save the day for Honda.
Andretti Autosport and Honda have had a lot of memorable moments together, including five Indianapolis 500 wins, more than any other Honda team relationship.
“Honda is just so gratified to earn the confidence of Michael, the entire Andretti Autosport organization,” Klaus said. “By extension, Michael then takes care of, just like all our other teams, takes care of the amazing drivers.
“The word here is 'relationship'. Consistency of performance in life and on the racetrack comes from our deep relationships and our trust in each other. So many amazing people in the HPD family that provide not only the amazing Honda power, but we work together with the teams to improve their total winning performance.
“We're very, very proud that together Andretti Autosport has the most number of Indy 500 victories. At the beginning, really right after the Indy 500, we focus forward to next year's Indy 500. That's job number one for Honda Performance Development. That's job number one for Andretti Autosport.
“I'm really looking forward to earning that in 2020, working together for the foreseeable future.”