Simon Pagenaud provided an update on his health on Monday.
“I don’t know yet if I will be back behind a wheel in 2024, nor if I am ready for it,” Pagenaud said in an elaborate statement posted on social media and his website.
Pagenaud, the 2019 Indianapolis 500 winner and 2016 NTT IndyCar Series champion, was involved in a violent crash during practice at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on July 1. Pagenaud’s No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda barrel-rolled several times before coming to a halt.
The Frenchman was not medically cleared to compete for the remainder of the season due to what Pagenaud described last season as “lingering concussion-like symptoms.”
Pagenaud thanked the IndyCar safety team for their efforts to assist him following the crash, saying, “The IndyCar safety team did an amazing job to get me out of the car and to look after me in the first hours after the impact, and I will be forever thankful to them.”
He went on to describe his rehab process.
“Ever since, I have been concentrating on getting my health back to 100-percent,” Pagenaud said. “For that, I have been working closely with a great team of doctors and I have been progressing every day.”
While the 39-year-old doesn’t have a timetable for a potential return racing, he is remaining patient with the process at hand.
“I want to take things slowly to make sure that when I come back, I am at my very best again,” he said.
The former Meyer Shank Racing driver reiterated his intent to return to racing while reflecting on the highlights of his illustrious career, which consists of 15 IndyCar victories, two Rolex 24 at Daytona triumphs and an American Le Mans Series championship.
“While I am working out my next steps, I also want to take the opportunity to look back at my career and reminisce with you about past success and special moments,” Pagenaud said. “But don’t get me wrong: This is not the end as better times are ahead!”