Agustin Canapino has parted ways with the Juncos Hollinger team and will not see out the 2024 IndyCar season.
The Argentine multiple race champion moved to IndyCar last year and posted an impressive 12th place in his debut, showing IndyCar fans that his talent is translatable despite never having raced in single-seaters before.
He finished the season in 21st place overall and remained in what was an eventful 2024 season.
He currently sits 22nd in the standings with a best result of 12th, in Detroit, where his season was seriously damaged when Theo Bourchier received death threats from Argentine fans after an on-track incident with Canapino, who subsequently issued a statement that was widely criticised.
It was not the first time a driver had received death threats from Argentine fans, with two similar incidents with Canapino’s then team-mate Callum Ilott in 2023 leading to similar messages.
Canapino withdrew from the next race at Road America, where he was replaced by Nolan Siegel, before the team confirmed its commitment to Canapino.
Canapino had his best career finish in qualifying on the roads and streets in Toronto last time out, but he fell out of that strong qualifying position in the race – adding to a string of poor results at a critical time in the pursuit of Leaders’ Circle honours.
Now Canapino and Juncos have “mutually and amicably” parted ways.
Canapino mysteriously did not take part in a test at Gateway last week, with Conor Daly taking over the No. 78 car.
Four of the final five races of the season are on oval tracks, so Daly would be a strong option to step in.
Currently, the No. 78 Canapino car is not in the top 22 in the points standings for teams qualifying for the Leaders’ Circle, which awards $1 million in prize money to teams.
Canapino’s strong performance at Laguna Seca last year helped the car sneak into the top 22 in the leaders’ circle, but it faces strong competition to secure a place again in 2024.
