Kelvin Fu takes charge of HRC USA after Honda’s 2026 IndyCar manufacturers’ title, with the operation now turning toward further IR-28 development.
Kelvin Fu took over as president of Honda Racing Corporation USA on September 12, succeeding David Salters after Honda secured the 2026 IndyCar Manufacturers’ Championship.
The confirmed leadership change comes as Honda’s North American racing operation shifts its attention to IndyCar’s next development cycle. Oval testing is underway for the IR-28 chassis, which is planned to enter competition in 2028.
Fu takes charge of championship operation
Fu assumes control of an organization that claimed its eighth IndyCar manufacturers’ crown in 2026. The result marked Honda’s 12th American open-wheel manufacturers’ title overall.
Honda swept every street-course race on the schedule. Kyle Kirkwood completed that run for Andretti Global with victory in the Freedom 250 Grand Prix in Washington, D. C., leading 128 of 147 laps.
Honda clinched the title during the Milwaukee Mile doubleheader on August 30 and 31.
Palou leads Honda driver results
Alex Palou secured his fourth consecutive IndyCar championship with 631 points for Chip Ganassi Racing, tying the series record for consecutive titles. Kirkwood placed second with 545, while Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard finished third on 535.
Second place marked Kirkwood’s best championship finish. He ended the season as runner-up at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, earning his 12th career IndyCar podium.
Palou also works with Honda on development.
IR-28 testing moves to oval phase
Palou handled Honda’s portion of IndyCar’s IR-28 superspeedway test on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval on Thursday, September 10. Alexander Rossi drove the Chevrolet-powered test car on Wednesday, becoming the first driver to run the IR-28 in its superspeedway configuration.
Both drivers had previously taken part in road-course development. Officials released no lap times or comparative performance figures, so there is no verified basis for ranking the Honda and Chevrolet test programs.
The car is scheduled to debut in 2028.
Honda starts offseason after street sweep
Honda’s 2026 record gives Fu a clear competitive benchmark as his tenure begins. The manufacturer won the championship and every street event, while Honda-powered drivers filled the top three places in the final standings through Palou, Kirkwood and Lundgaard.
Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin gave Chevrolet the final win of the season in the Laguna Seca finale. He led 95 laps, averaged 106.756 mph and snapped a 36-race winless streak dating to September 2024.
Fu’s first offseason will focus on Honda’s active racing programs and preparations for the next IR-28 development sessions before the chassis’ planned 2028 debut.
