The Racing Point Force India Formula 1 team "is planning to lodge a name change in time for it to be resolved by the end of this year," according to Scott Mitchell of AUTOSPORT. Racing Point Force India was the "stop-gap name" given to the new team that entered F1 midseason thanks to the "convoluted way Force India's administration was resolved." The team and its owners, a consortium of investors led by Lawrence Stroll, "always intended on changing that name." Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer said that the request "should be lodged in time for it to be approved by December's meeting" of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. Szafnauer said, "That's the plan. So it's done well in time for next year. When I know [the name] I'll tell you" (AUTOSPORT, 10/20).
NOT JUST YET: REUTERS' Alan Baldwin reported McLaren "ruled out a full entry" in the '19 IndyCar series but is "still considering competing at the Indianapolis 500," Exec Dir Zak Brown said on Friday. He said that Indianapolis "remained of interest and a decision would be taken" once the F1 season ends. Brown: "For the IndyCar series, we’ve taken the decision not to compete on a full-time basis in 2019. We’re simply not ready yet and very focused on Formula 1. We do have a desire to do it in the near future" (REUTERS, 10/19).
