P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Rinus VeeKay embracing leadership role at ECR entering 2024
Despite being only 23 years old, VeeKay is entering his fifth season in the premier open-wheel racing championship in North America. Last year was his worst season statistically, with only two top 10 finishes and a 14th place ranking in the standings. However, the challenging season forced him to work harder and become more demanding within the team. There was also a midseason driver swap within his team, with Ryan Hunter-Reay replacing Conor Daly, which had an impact on VeeKay’s performance. Team owner Ed Carpenter believes that VeeKay’s growth came from a combination of his own experience, learning from a veteran teammate like Hunter-Reay, and natural maturity. VeeKay is now ready to take on the role of a mentor to rookie Christian Rasmussen and lead the team to success. He has learned the importance of preparation and analysis from Hunter-Reay and is eager to apply those lessons in his races.