Press Releases - BREAKING: Hendrix to Return, Will Not Reitre

BREAKING: Hendrix to Return, Will Not Reitre

About 3 weeks ago, it was discovered that 20 year old American Eric Hendrix was going to retire at the end of the season, shocking many. After the end of the F3 American Series finale at Laguna Seca, we caught up with Hendrix and learned something surprising:

Reporter: Eric, congrats on a great season. 3rd in the standings for a 20 year old is awfully impressive.
Hendrix: Thanks, it's been an interesting season for sure.
R: Tell me about the race.
H: Well, we thought a couple of weeks ago that we had 3rd in the standings guaranteed. But a couple of poor performances made it so that we had to have a good run today. I was stuck behind Evans for most of the day, and I kept on thinking that they were holding me up from possibly challenging for 1st or 2nd. But I guess that if that was true then I should have been able to get around that car. Anyway, we got the top 5 we needed and that was good enough for me.
R: How does it feel to know that this will be the last time you will be behind the wheel of that car?
H: Yeah, about that.
R: Huh?
H: After thinking it through, I decided that maybe this wasn't the best time for me to leave.
R: Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting?
H: Yep, I'm coming back for at least 1 more season.
R: Wow, that's surprising. What made you have the change of heart?
H: Well, I was looking at my career so far and realized that I've been doing much better than I thought I was doing. This was a breakout year for me. I mean, 3rd in the F3 America, 11 podiums, and a third of my starts ending in a top 5. Compare that to last season and it's a hell of an improvement.
R: So if you are coming back, what are your plans for next year?
H: I haven't fully decided. I've been considering returning to F3 US, but I've got some other options. I've been thinking of F3 North America, F2 North America, and F3 Scandinavia among others. I'll definitely have a final decision made soon.
R: Wait, your manager said that he would not run for a 2nd term as USRA President to help develop your replacement. Does your staying mean he will run again?
H: I can't say for sure, you will have to ask him. I doubt it, though. But I can't say for sure.
R: One last question. For the past couple of weeks, you have been running without sponsorship. Have you found a new sponsor?
H: Well, we have been in talks with some different companies about sponsorship. Don't want to talk too much about it right now.
R: Well, Eric, thanks for the time and congratulations on a great season. Oh, and happy 21st birthday
H: Thanks, any time.

R: And there you have it. So ends the odd storyline of the seemingly premature retirement of one of the USA's top young drivers.