Ganassi continuity 'hugely important' for Max Chilton in IndyCar
Max Chilton believes the continuity of staying with Chip Ganassi Racing for his second IndyCar season in 2017 is "hugely important"
Chilton headed to the US after leaving Formula 1 at the end of the 2014 season, pairing a Nissan LMP1 drive with an Indy Lights programme.
He then graduated to IndyCar in 2016 as Ganassi's fourth driver, alongside champions Scott Dixon and Tony Kanaan, and Charlie Kimball.
Having re-signed for next year, Chilton believes stability will pay dividends as he looks to build on his rookie campaign.
"It's hugely important to have that continuity," Chilton said.
"To at least have the same team engineer - the engineer is the one you work most closely with - it's nice if you get on with him to keep that relationship going, and ideally try to keep the crew the same.
"When everyone knows how to work with each other, you don't have to spend time learning each other - you just know what each other want sometimes without having to say too much.
"I know from my experience in single seaters now for over a decade, it really does help.
"That's why time and time again, you see an ex-champion, a multiple champion, with the same team for many years."
2016 'MY BIGGEST YEAR IN MOTORSPORT'
Chilton spent two seasons with Marussia in F1, which followed time in GP2 and Formula 3.
He classes his first IndyCar season - where he finished 19th in the standings with a best finish of seventh - as "probably one of my biggest years in motorsport", as he got up to speed in his new, American surroundings.
"Even though the speeds are similar to F1 and the cars aren't hugely different, it's the American way of racing," Chilton explained.
"The racetracks were all new to me, the street circuits incredibly bumpy and tight, the oval racing is incredibly fast and close.
"With my team-mates you can really see that [experience] makes a difference - I think [Dixon and Kanaan] are going into their 15th or 16th year of IndyCar.
"It just pays so well to have that experience in your team.
"I'm looking forward to hopefully doing better myself next year, and they can learn from me as well.
"There was a time where the speed of our car was actually really good, especially toward the end of the year.
"We're going to hopefully keep that momentum going into next year."
Chilton braced for 'hugely important' Ganassi Honda IndyCar test
IndyCar 2017 aero freeze helps Penske's rivals - Simon Pagenaud
Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty
Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty Archive: When NASCAR's original crossover star tried Indy 500 double duty
The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test
The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test The full inside story of Senna's Indycar test
The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw
The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw The Indy 500 engine they had to outlaw
Carlin's Chilton stands down from remaining 2019 IndyCar oval races
Carlin's Chilton stands down from remaining 2019 IndyCar oval races Carlin's Chilton stands down from remaining 2019 IndyCar oval races
Chilton secures 2019 Carlin IndyCar seat, Kimball to race part-time
Chilton secures 2019 Carlin IndyCar seat, Kimball to race part-time Chilton secures 2019 Carlin IndyCar seat, Kimball to race part-time
F1 should use IndyCar-style spotters, reckons Max Chilton
F1 should use IndyCar-style spotters, reckons Max Chilton F1 should use IndyCar-style spotters, reckons Max Chilton
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork Sutton “owes Rowbottom a beer” for qualifying teamwork
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner Verstappen explains "tight" McLaren battle into F1 Japanese GP first corner
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results MotoGP Indian GP: Full Moto2 and Moto3 race results
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP Gasly 'doesn't understand' Alpine order to swap positions in F1 Japanese GP
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives Nigel Mansell’s greatest F1 and Indycar drives
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021 Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up? Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.