We have learned that J.R. Hildebrand has been ousted from his driving role at Panther Racing and will be replace immediately by Ryan Briscoe for this week-end doubleheader in Detroit and for the rest of the season by Oriol Servia.
According to reports, Hildebrand has been fired largely in part of his bad showing during the last Indianapolis 500 where he had an accident in Turn 1 on Lap 4.
Ryan Briscoe has been named driver of the National Guard entry this weekend at Detroit but veteran Oriol Servia is expected to be in the car for the remainder of the season.
Servia, who has been Hildebrand's teammate in the partnership of Dreyer & Reinbold and Panther for the last two seasons was expected to take over driving duties this week-end but a legal issue made it impossible to be behind the wheel of the No.4 in Detroit.
For Hildebrand, it was a bittersweet way to end a 3-year deal that could have launched his already successful open wheel career.
According to reports, Hildebrand has been fired largely in part of his bad showing during the last Indianapolis 500 where he had an accident in Turn 1 on Lap 4.
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| JR Hildebrand crash early in Indy 500. (Photo: IndyCar) |
Ryan Briscoe has been named driver of the National Guard entry this weekend at Detroit but veteran Oriol Servia is expected to be in the car for the remainder of the season.
Servia, who has been Hildebrand's teammate in the partnership of Dreyer & Reinbold and Panther for the last two seasons was expected to take over driving duties this week-end but a legal issue made it impossible to be behind the wheel of the No.4 in Detroit.
For Hildebrand, it was a bittersweet way to end a 3-year deal that could have launched his already successful open wheel career.