Kyffin Simpson’s Jam-Packed Schedule: From IndyCar to Endurance Racing
A young and talented race driver, Kyffin Simpson, is set to embark on a challenging and thrilling schedule that includes a mix of IndyCar and endurance racing. Managed by Chip Ganassi Racing’s managing director, Mike Hull, Simpson’s upcoming events promise to test his skills and prepare him for future success in IndyCar.
The action-packed schedule kicks off with an IndyCar evaluation on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course on October 27-28. This will be followed by a rookie test in the FIA World Endurance Championship at Bahrain International Circuit on November 5. Simpson will then take on the Circuit Monteblanco with a previous generation Formula 2 car on November 13-14. Next, he will have the opportunity to showcase his talents in a World Series machine at Imola on November 20-21. The final leg of his busy month includes a run in the F2 car at Motorland Aragon on November 23-24, before concluding with an IndyCar test on the road course at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Speaking about his packed schedule, Simpson expressed his excitement for the upcoming tests, saying, “It’s going to be a very busy November, but I’m looking forward to it. I think it’ll be very exciting being able to test all these different cars.” He highlighted the importance of using these opportunities to prepare for next year and gain experience in high-performance vehicles like IndyCars.
Hull emphasized the benefits of Simpson’s diverse testing program, citing the direct crossover between Formula 2 and IndyCar. He noted, “We’ve seen what goes on with Formula 2, with drivers that have come from there now that have stepped into an Indy car. It’s a pretty direct crossover for power to weight ratio, tire degradation and so on. The guys that are currently in IndyCar racing that came from Formula 2 made that step in that transition.”
The schedule also includes an FIA World Endurance Championship rookie test in Bahrain. Simpson will have the opportunity to showcase his skills in the Cadillac post-race, providing essential experience in different racing conditions.
This packed schedule follows Simpson’s recent triumph as the champion of the European Le Mans Series. Teaming up with Algarve Pro Racing, he secured two wins and five podiums in six rounds, alongside co-drivers Alex Lynn and James Allen.
Simpson’s impressive achievements this year extend beyond the European Le Mans Series. Having primarily competed in Indy NXT, he earned one pole position and two podium finishes in 13 races with HMD Motorsports. Additionally, he raced with Tower Motorsports in the LMP2 category of the IMSA SportsCar Championship, securing a victory in the renowned 12 Hours of Sebring alongside Scott McLaughlin from Team Penske. He also claimed one win and finished third in the overall championship in the Asian Le Mans Series with Algarve Pro Racing.
Reflecting on his growth as a driver, Simpson acknowledged the improvements made over the year, particularly in adaptability and providing feedback to engineers. Working alongside experienced drivers like Lynn and McLaughlin has played a vital role in his development. Simpson said, “I think lots of little things like that have just helped me develop as a driver a lot over the year. Obviously, the racecraft as well with a lot of racing this year.”
Simpson’s progress has impressed Hull, who believes his development is at least 50% from where it all began. Hull recounted one standout moment at the season finale in Portimao, where Simpson showcased his skills in challenging conditions. “He started on the pole for the first race… turned the car over to his team-mate, who turned the car over to their teammate. They ended up second in the race,” Hull explained.
Moreover, Simpson’s participation in sports car racing brings the added benefit of pit stops, an experience not commonly offered in the development categories on the ladder to IndyCar. Hull highlighted the advantage of Simpson having a professional teammate like Lynn, allowing for direct comparison and mentorship.
By the end of the year, Simpson will have completed over 60 pit stops, presenting ample opportunities for growth and learning. Hull emphasized the importance of Simpson’s progress, stating, “He’s made a lot of progress as a race driver. He’s maturing as a race driver. The whole purpose of what we’re doing is to make him a better race driver, whether it be for big sports cars or whether it be for IndyCar or whatever it happens to be.”
With his upcoming diverse testing schedule and impressive track record, Kyffin Simpson is undoubtedly a rising star in motorsport. As he continues to hone his skills and gain valuable experience, the Barbadian-born Caymanian is poised for a successful career in both endurance racing and IndyCar.