As revealed a couple of weeks ago, long time Andretti Autosport driver Tony Kanaan has finally parted company with the team to look for another drive for the upcoming IndyCar 2011 season.
When the team learned at the end of the current season that Kanaan’s primary sponsor, 7-Eleven stores, would not be back in 2011 it had already stated that the 2004 IndyCar champion would be free to look somewhere else for employment. Both parties have now made it official.
"I don't agree with some things and it's very disappointing but I have no hard feelings," Kanaan told speedtv.com.
"It's sad because I wanted to be there. It's been my home for nine years and I have a lot of great memories but it's life, it's reality, and now I've got to find a new home."
This situation is even sadder knowing that the Brazilian had been loyal to Andretti in refusing to join forces with Ganassi Racing in 2009. The seat eventually went to this year’s champion Dario Franchitti.
Despite denying any kind of tension within the former Andretti Green team, rumours circulate that Kanaan was furious that his teammates Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti got more respect and that his role was one of coaching the two young recruits.
Although he has been one of the higher-paid drivers in a field, his annual salary is estimated to be around $3 millions per season, Kanaan declared money is not a priority in his hunt for a 2011 drive.
When the team learned at the end of the current season that Kanaan’s primary sponsor, 7-Eleven stores, would not be back in 2011 it had already stated that the 2004 IndyCar champion would be free to look somewhere else for employment. Both parties have now made it official.
"I don't agree with some things and it's very disappointing but I have no hard feelings," Kanaan told speedtv.com.
"It's sad because I wanted to be there. It's been my home for nine years and I have a lot of great memories but it's life, it's reality, and now I've got to find a new home."
This situation is even sadder knowing that the Brazilian had been loyal to Andretti in refusing to join forces with Ganassi Racing in 2009. The seat eventually went to this year’s champion Dario Franchitti.
Despite denying any kind of tension within the former Andretti Green team, rumours circulate that Kanaan was furious that his teammates Danica Patrick and Marco Andretti got more respect and that his role was one of coaching the two young recruits.
Although he has been one of the higher-paid drivers in a field, his annual salary is estimated to be around $3 millions per season, Kanaan declared money is not a priority in his hunt for a 2011 drive.