IndyCar hires new engine boss to work on new rules package

Darren Sansum has joined IndyCar from reigning NASCAR champion manufacturer Toyota, having previously worked with Ilmor, where he aided its IndyCar programme through Honda, as well as Ford and Cosworth.

IndyCar could extend the lifespan of its current 2.2-litre turbocharged V6 engines through to 2020 and has met several manufacturers over the '17 off-season to ascertain interest in the series.

Honda has recently said it would not welcome hybrids in IndyCar, but Sansum's role is to ensure any new regulations appeal to potential new entrants.

"Darren is someone we targeted early on in the hiring process," said Jay Frye, IndyCar's president of competition and operations.

"There is a lot happening within IndyCar's engine programme, both current and future projects.

"Darren's background makes him a perfect fit to lead our engine programme today and into the future."

Sansum says deciding IndyCar's future engines made the move more appealing and that the "ultimate goal" will be adding more manufacturers.

"What excites me about this role is that it's an opportunity to use my 25 years of engine engineering," said Sansum.

"It's an opportunity to help develop the sport itself and it's particularly pertinent that it's with IndyCar since that's where it started for me and it's the fastest category in North America.

"IndyCar is going in a good direction, and I'd like to help further develop that and continue going in that direction.

"The competition's very close between Honda and Chevrolet at the moment.

"I'd like to contribute to the evolution in this direction with the ultimate goal of adding manufacturers into the sport."