Brazilian Tony Kanaan will be considered to move into Dario Franchitti’s car at Chip Ganassi Racing next season following the Scot’s enforced retirement from racing.
Kanaan, who has previously been announced to join the NTT DATA #8 car at Ganassi for 2014 following an Indianapolis 500 winning year with KV Racing, is in the frame to switch to the #10 Target entry made vacant by Franchitti’s announcement on Friday.
Ganassi has confirmed that his squad will continue with plans to expand to four full-time cars next season, with championship-winning Scott Dixon, Charlie Kimball, Kanaan and a fourth yet-to-be-confirmed driver.
“If you were to ask is he a possibility for the #10 car, I would answer by saying it’s not out of the question,” Ganassi told media following Franchitti’s news.
Ganassi is understood to have already contacted former two-time Indy 500 winner Sam Hornish but been knocked back by the long-time Penske driver, who has this year rebuilt his ailing NASCAR career in the Nationwide Series.
Ganassi stressed that he’ll need an experienced campaigner to replace Franchitti in one of the most prized seats in the field.
“I would love the opportunity to give a young guy a chance, (but) I think there are better places for young people to come into the sport than into that 10 car,” he said.
“Whoever fills that seat not only has obviously big shoes, if not the biggest shoes to fill in the sport, but you’re also somebody that has to be a huge teammate and able to help Scott Dixon, as well, and Kanaan and Charlie.
“So it’s not just a single-faceted job to get in that car. That car is part of a team that I think for years has run at the front of the pack, and everything that goes along with running at the front in terms of scoring points for championships and helping teammates win championships.
“That’s not always the best position for a young, up-and-coming driver to come into.”
Alex Tagliani will join Kanaan, Dixon and Kimball in testing at Sebring on December 4.
The veteran Canadian Tagliani substituted for Franchitti at the season-ending race at Fontana on October 19.
Ganassi is expected to test other drivers in the run up to next season and will weigh up whether to sign an established fourth driver such as Tagliani or a young rising star.
