Rahal had to “look internally” with latest contract decision with RLL

Earlier within the month, the 34-year-old Ohio native lastly put pen to paper after agreeing to a multi-year deal to stay with the workforce that shares his household’s namesake co-owned by his father.

There was no assure after enduring a rollercoaster of feelings throughout a 2023 marketing campaign.

Rahal began the yr with two high 10s by way of the opening 5 races however didn’t qualify for the Indianapolis 500 – albeit managing to compete within the race after subbing for the injured Stefan Wilson at Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

On the midpoint of the yr, Rahal made clear he was in no rush to determine his future as he regarded each inward and on the innerworkings of progress for RLL.

Nevertheless, the tempo in Rahal’s #15 Honda started to enhance as he closed out the yr with three entrance row begins, together with two poles, over the ultimate 4 races and led 36 laps en path to a runner-up consequence on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway highway course through the Brickyard weekend.

“, this was a giant resolution for me and the place I used to be at with all the things,” Rahal advised Motorsport.com.

“I feel it was clearly one thing we have all wished to get completed for an prolonged time period. It took maybe somewhat longer than we’d’ve favored, however the actuality is simply on each side – the workforce’s aspect and mine – it was a giant deal for us to guarantee that it was the proper factor and the proper strategy to go.

“I am excited. It is a multi-year dedication. For me, I wished to additionally look internally to grasp what I wanted to do in my life to be higher for the workforce and to be extra ready and guarantee that I might give all of them the trouble wanted to exit and succeed, and vice versa.

“Clearly, there’s been loads of change inside our group. I feel there’s nonetheless going to be some change and challenges forward; that is pure at this stage. However I feel issues are wanting good, in any other case clearly, I would not have completed this.”

Photograph by: Gavin Baker / Motorsport Images

Graham Rahal, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda

Rahal, a six-time IndyCar race winner, then went on a deeper dive to clarify the areas of self-examination.

“You must guarantee that it doesn’t matter what you do in life, that you simply’re keen to offer it 100%,” Rahal stated.

“For me, there’s been numerous challenges and frustrations through the years which have made issues tougher. You need to have the ability to just be sure you can type of put these within the background and rearview mirror and be capable to go ahead.

“Clearly with household, with all the things else, there’s rather a lot taking place in life. However, , racing has been my lifestyle. It is all I’ve recognized. It is all I do know, since I used to be somewhat child. I do not suppose individuals understand that loads of us which can be on this sport and on this world, that is actually all we all know.”

The damage and tear of robust outcomes in recent times compounded issues.

“I wished to guarantee that I can put the struggles of the previous few years apart,” Rahal stated.

“Clearly, the top of the yr was promising. Actually felt we must always have gained Indy GP, however simply got here up a hair brief. That is life, that is the best way issues go, clearly you progress on. However yeah, I simply wished to guarantee that I used to be nonetheless engaged at each stage, mentally, bodily, and able to go. I really feel that I’m. I really feel that we have some good issues forward of us. I additionally wished to guarantee that frankly, the workforce is headed it in the proper route.

“Folks suppose that is an apparent assertion, however it’s not that apparent, frankly. There’s loads of issues that go into that. We’re in a spirited battle of hiring and many issues taking place which have created concern, and I wished to let the mud accept some time to see the place we’re headed. I wished to see the motion and perceive the place the workforce’s route was, in addition to the rest.

“I’ve made it clear through the years, I am not right here simply to be right here. I learn all of the social media hate, ‘Graham’s solely right here due to his dad. He is solely right here due to his title.’ I am sorry to inform individuals, however that is full and utter bullshit. I feel individuals who know me, know me rather a lot higher than that. I feel individuals who have raced with me on monitor know me rather a lot higher than that.

“Able to successful. Able to being up entrance. Able to qualifying on pole; showcased that this yr. However the actuality is there’s loads of items to that puzzle that make that occur. And I wished to guarantee that I felt assured these items have been going to be there in order that we might do it and do it effectively.”