And now, onto the ‘regular’ Mailbag…

Q: I’m puzzled by the published comments by Hinch. He says he is “shocked” and “blindsided” by the decision to terminate his contract. I guess he doesn’t read your column or pay attention to Marshall, as you all have been saying for a long time that this is what would happen. Is this just window dressing, or is he genuinely surprised? I hope something can develop for him, as he is a credit to IndyCar as well as a pretty hot shoe.

Erik K.

RM: Well it’s not quite that cut and dried. Marshall and I have been predicting Hinch won’t be at Arrow McLaren SP because what we were told off the record by a few key folks, and the fact Honda of Canada still had him in its 2020 budget. But with RLL’s third car looking less and less promising, he was looking at the reality of one more year where he’s at, and Sam was on record saying he was honoring the contract. So I guess you can still honor the contract but not put the driver in a car. I mean, it was pretty obvious from the press releases that Hinch wasn’t exactly the favorite son, but I do think he was shocked when Schmidt called him. And the other thing we kept telling fans was that McLaren would make the decision on drivers – not Sam or Rick.

Q: Longtime reader and first-time writer. While I can’t blame McLaren for getting two absolute young studs to round out their 2020 line-up, I cannot help but think this is a money-losing move for them. I don’t know all of the specifics, but from what I understand O’Ward has pretty good financial backing and sponsors, but Askew really only has the scholarship from Indy Lights. Am I correct here? And if so, even though going for youth makes sense, wouldn’t it have made more economical sense for them to have Hinch in one of the seats simply due to the amount of sponsorship and backing that he has?

Cade Fulling, Bloomington, IL.

RM: I don’t think either driver was required to bring money – hell, McLaren could run a two-car IndyCar effort for the money it spends on brakes in F1. No, money was not a consideration, and between Arrow and McLaren, it’s a well-oiled outfit with an eye on the future.

Q: Somehow I got into a bet with a buddy of mine on whether SPM is going to pay the last year of Hinch’s contract. Could you confirm for us whether Hinch is going to be paid even though he isn’t driving for them?

Alex

RM: I’ve only talked to Hinch through emails, but my understanding is that he will be paid his salary and may be required to do hospitality and appearances. I’ll ask him whenever I get him on the phone.

Q: You can tell me I am out of my mind, and I usually am, but this scenario popped into my head this morning and won’t leave! Foyt switches to Honda for 2020 with a sweet deal from Honda on engines if they put Hinch in the No. 4 car. Honda can clearly absorb another team with the two leases freed up from SPAM. IndyCar wants Hinch in a car as bad as Honda, so they sweeten the deal and put some money towards it. Foyt gets his second car mostly paid for, and has a high-profile driver and he and T.K. are a big-draw team. They probably get some additional sponsorship just because of Hinch being there. Think this is crazy or could it play out?

Forrester L Morgan, Myrtle Beach, SC

RM: It’s always good to dream, but highly doubtful. Honda is full up with a third Ganassi car and likely Michael Shank going full-time, so no room for two more. It would be a good pairing in terms of what you said, but just can’t see it.

Could Hinch move to the No.4 with Honda power? Sure, it *could* happen. But it probably won’t. Image by Abbott/LAT

Q: It is disappointing that Arrow McLaren SP waited until so long to oust Hinch. Do they owe him the last year of his contract, or have they used some clause to terminate him? If, as you say, there have been months-long rumblings their relationship has gone south, why wait so long to release him? I’d expect more from Sam Schmidt and Ric Peterson. Should James have read the writing on the wall and asked for a release when there were still a couple of seats left? Even before the rift was reported, there were signs. When the McLaren partnership was announced, the only SPM driver who showed any enthusiasm on their social media was Wickens.

Yet, although I firmly believe he is a more talented driver than Ericsson, it seems like CGR has never been fond of The Mayor. He never seemed in the frame for past vacancies at CGR. What are Hinch’s prospects? How far apart is he in terms of sponsorship dollars for Rahal-Lanigan-Letterman’s purported third seat? You hate to see a good guy on the sidelines, but I fear this may be the beginning of the end for Hinch.

Trevor Bohay, Kamloops, BC, Canada

RM: Paul Tracy thinks Hinch should have had a backup plan many months ago when all this was announced, and that’s logical except that Arrow SP indicated it would honor his contract. As we know now, that simply means he’ll get paid not to drive, but I don’t think he knew that. Hinch knew he was a lame duck and no longer the favorite son after Robbie Wickens, but McLaren’s biggest crime was leaving him hanging. Yes he should have at least been told to look around last summer. He needs $6 million to get anything with RLL and he’s a long way from that, so I think his best shot is with a good team at Indianapolis like Andretti.

Q: I’m confused. I thought there was going to be two Arrow SP cars and two McLaren, thus adding to two more cars to the paddock. Please give me some insight. Is that still the case or what?

Mike, Cincinnati

RM: I think that may have been the original hope, but it quickly became clear it was only two cars. That’s the only insight I’ve got.