Vautier returns to IndyCar as Coyne’s sixth different driver this year

IndyCar

Posted on

| Written by

Tristan Vautier will return to IndyCar for the first time in seven years at this weekend’s Detroit Grand Prix.

Advert | Become a Supporter & go ad-free

He will take over Dale Coyne’s second car, the number 51 entry, as its fifth different occupant in the first six points-scoring rounds.

“Super-excited to be returning to IndyCar [and] Dale Coyne Racing for [this] weekend’s Detroit Grand Prix,” said Vautier on social media. “Big challenge ahead, let’s go!”

Vautier’s last IndyCar start was also with Coyne at Texas Motor Speedway in 2017. He retired in a six-car collision started by two other drivers shortly after half distance. Since then he has chiefly raced in sportscars, including for the Vanwall team in the World Endurance Championship last year.

Tristan Vautier, Schmidt Peterson, Fontana, IndyCar, 2013
Vautier arrived in IndyCar as junior series champion in 2013
He made his debut in the series with Schmidt Peterson in 2013 after winning the Indy Lights (now Indy Nxt) championship the year before. After a year out he returned at Coyne the following season and scored his best result with fourth place in the second Detroit race that year at its former Belle Isle venue.

Coyne has not indicated whether Vautier is part of their long-term plans for the number 51 entry which has already been driven by four other competitors this year. Colin Braun drove the car in the season-opening round at St Petersburg, then Nolan Siegel took over for Long Beach. Luca Ghiotto (pictured top) spent two weekends in the car before handing it over to Katherine Legge for the Indianapolis 500 last week.

Harvey will return to Coyne as Vautier’s team mate for this weekend’s race. Siegel, who failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 last week, will return to the Indy Nxt series as planned.

Don’t miss anything new from RaceFans

Follow RaceFans on social media:

Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free

IndyCar

Browse all IndyCar articles

Author information

Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

Got a potential story, tip or enquiry? Find out more about RaceFans and contact us here.

4 comments on “Vautier returns to IndyCar as Coyne’s sixth different driver this year”

  1. Doh
    29th May 2024, 19:34

    That’s a nice livery

    1. Doh
      29th May 2024, 19:35

      And a nice side profile that indycar too. They look great especially from some angles

      1. Don
        30th May 2024, 15:38

        Agree. The bad angle is directly head on as the screen looks flat and wide, which is an optical illusion as the sides blend in to the front view. The front of the screen is sharply curved and looks good at all other angles. You can really see the angle above the car looking down.

        1. Dog
          3rd June 2024, 8:44

          Yes lol. They sorta look like hovercrafts head on

Comments are closed.