Conor Daly secures last-minute GP2 test - MotorSportsTalk

American driver Conor Daly has secured a last-minute test with a GP2 team in Abu Dhabi next week after a long and difficult winter spent searching for a seat.

Daly enjoyed his best-ever season in GP3 in 2013, as he finished the championship in third place with one win and five further podiums to his name. Having also run in two GP2 races and the Indy 500, it was a busy 2013 for him.

However, come the end of the year, Daly was left with few options, openly talking about the situation as he searched for a seat in 2014. In an interview with eRacing Magazine, Daly said: “I was able to win all across the world last year, had the most successful season of my career and showed what I could do on every corner of the planet.

“Unfortunately that doesn’t do much for you anymore! I have to stay positive but it has been a massive struggle so far.”

Thankfully for Daly, some good news came through today that he shared with his Twitter followers:

Got call from GP2 team this mrning, booking flight now to head to Abu Dhabi tonight for 1st preseason test. Chances r still given #thankful

— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 8, 2014

What an crazy turn of events. Huge thanks to the team partners for giving me this opportunity. Will let you knw who that is when I get there

— Conor Daly (@ConorDaly22) March 8, 2014

Should a seat come to fruition, Daly would join compatriot Alexander Rossi in GP2 for this season as both drivers continue their charge for Formula 1.

GP2 acts as the direct support series to Formula 1, allowing drivers to get a taste of the grand prix experience by following the main series around for eleven rounds of the year.

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The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.