"He left because things went sideways" - IndyCar insider rebuffs A.J. Foyt Racing's version of Michael Cannon's departure for PREMA

Michael Cannon left the position of Technical Director at A.J. Foyt Racing in the first week of November. Within a few weeks, Cannon announced his contract with PREMA. He signed as the Head of Engineering for the newest IndyCar team as PREMA looks forward to making its IndyCar series debut in 2025.

IndyCar insider Marshall Pruett recently discussed Cannon’s departure from A.J. Foyt Racing. Pruett is a former IndyCar engineer with close to two decades of experience in the racing series. He later switched to reporting and now also hosts a podcast on his YouTube channel.

Pruett was asked to discuss PREMA snagging Michael Cannon from A.J. Foyt Racing on his podcast by a fan to which he said:

“I’m trying my best to communicate with our friends at PREMA. Still chasing them to respond and if they don't, that's fine. I've confirmed through other sources. So, I guess there's been a little bit of confusion in some areas. Confusion as to what went down with Cannon at A.J. Foyt Racing.” (at 30:14)

“There have been notions put out that the team let him go. I have only known this to be a scenario where he left compared to them asking him to leave. I can just tell you that he left because things went sideways. Not in like, ‘Hey, you know I got another opportunity. I'm heading out the door’, but more like, ‘Hey, problems evolved and left. Didn't have another thing in front of him’ and ultimately was contacted by PREMA. Been appointed there to a new role, in a good position. This to me is a very Michael Cannon move,” he added.

Cannon joined A.J. Foyt Racing at the start of the 2023 season and stayed with the team for a couple of years. He was massively involved in the improvements made by A.J. Foyt Racing during the 2023 & 2024 season.

Michael Cannon has worked with top teams like Andretti and CGR before A.J. Foyt Racing. He was Scott Dixon’s Race Engineer for the 2020 season when the New Zealander won the championship.

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A.J. Foyt Racing is not in a hurry to fill the Technical Director role left by Michael Cannon

The former A.J. Foyt Racing Technical Director was responsible for implementing huge changes across the team. This included the introduction of the technical partnership with Penske.

A.J. Foyt Racing President Larry Foyt said he was saddened by Cannon’s departure but isn't in a hurry to fill the role as Penske continues to provide technical support.

AUTO: JUN 23 NTT IndyCar Series Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey - Source: Getty

Foyt said (via Racer.com):

“We’re certainly going to miss Mike and it was really awesome working with him. I tried to get him for many years, so I’m really sorry that it’s not going to continue. As far as the T.D.(Technical Director), we’re not in a huge hurry to fill that role,” he said. “I think with everything that’s working with Penske that we’re fine, and we’ve got enough engineers in the building to do everything we’re hoping to do.”

PREMA is seemingly set for a strong debut following Michael Cannon’s signing and two talented former F2 drivers Callum Ilott and Robert Shwartzman in the team.