DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Bryan Herta needs to enter Robert Wickens within the Indianapolis 500 as early as 2024 — a 12 months later than most well-liked as work continues on the hand controls wanted for the paralyzed driver.

Wickens suffered a spinal wire harm in a crash at Pocono Raceway in his 2018 IndyCar rookie season. He has labored as a driver coach for the Arrow McLaren IndyCar crew since, however he returned to racing within the IMSA Michelin Pilot Problem final 12 months with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai.

The 33-year-old Canadian gained a pair of races driving a Hyundai Elantra N TCR that’s fitted for Wickens to race strictly by way of hand controls. Herta mentioned Thursday that perfecting that expertise for an Indy automotive within the greatest race on the earth is a undertaking he is decided to do with Wickens.

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“I might like to take Robbie again to Indy as a result of I do know he might try this and I feel that may be a subsequent step for him in his journey,” Herta instructed The Related Press. “We have spent plenty of time wanting on the logistical facet of issues, hand controls, and I feel we’ve options for that.”

Herta mentioned Honda has been supportive of the method.

“We really checked out doing it this 12 months, however the logistics of it, the timing, it simply wasn’t sufficient,” Herta mentioned. “That is not one thing you’ll be able to rush. There’s some issues that we’ve to work very intently with IndyCar on and issues we simply should get proper. It is a course of, however I can see a path to it.”

Wickens, when instructed his boss was brazenly discussing the Indy 500, grinned extensively. Herta as a crew proprietor gained the Indianapolis 500 with Dan Wheldon and Alexander Rossi.

“That’d be enjoyable,” Wickens mentioned of working the Indy 500.

However like Herta, Wickens mentioned the trouble needs to be accomplished accurately and needs to be aggressive.

“We would love to do it proper. If we began proper now, can we get a automotive prepared for the open take a look at in April? Most likely,” Wickens instructed AP. “However I do not know the place the programs could be, and I wish to get on correct simulators to ensure it is right.

“All of us wish to do a correct, skilled effort,” he added. “I do not wish to do it for a advertising marketing campaign. I wish to do it for an opportunity to win.”

Wickens in 2021 did an illustration in Canada that marketed developments for paralyzed drivers and gave him an opportunity to drive once more. His whole life had been upended 14 races into his rookie IndyCar season, simply three months after successful high rookie honors on the Indianapolis 500.

Wickens has since married, returned to racing and welcomed the delivery of his first little one, a son named Wesley who’s infatuated with race automobiles and with the journey to Disney he took this week throughout the off-days at Daytona Worldwide Speedway.

Wickens, who makes use of a wheelchair however can stand with some assist, will mark a full 12 months again racing Friday within the season-opening IMSA Michelin Pilot Problem race. Regardless of success final season, Herta made adjustments to his lineups, and Wickens this 12 months can be teamed with Harry Gottsacker.