McLaughlin ready to roll the dice in Indy 500 debut
New Zealand driver Scott McLaughlin believes some risktaking and a fast car have him primed for his Indy 500 debut.
McLaughlin has made a sensational start to his IndyCar career in the United States – with a second and an eighth in his first four races having him eighth on the drivers’ points table to be the top rookie.
McLaughlin next faces the Indianapolis Grand Prix on May 15 and the famous Indy 500 on May 30.
McLaughlin told the Balls and Bumpers podcast he believed he was now a top 10 contender and backed the exciting strategy at Team Penske to keep him moving forward.
‘‘In our position we can risk on strategy a bit more,’’ he said, believing his rookie status was giving him some leeway.
‘‘We don’t have as much to lose as, say, our team-mates just because of their pedigree and what I am doing and learning.
‘‘We have rolled the dice a few times and had great car pace.
‘‘I think we have been an easy top-eight, top-10 car throughout the first couple of weekends.
‘‘In Texas [where he finished second and eighth], I rolled out thinking I would have a good car.
Then qualifying was cancelled, so I had to start 15th, which sort of threw a spanner in the works, but everything then fell our way.
‘‘It is satisfying, but you are only as good as your last race . . . But I think we are a top-10 car right now and if we can keep that help heading into the month of May that would be fantastic.’’
McLaughlin did some promising testing for the Indy 500 before the season started, and the three-time Australian Supercars champion believes his success at the Bathurst endurance race, which he won in 2019, will help him at The Brickyard.
‘‘I have heard the Indy 500 is very tough,’’ he told the podcast.
‘‘You’ve almost got to get race fit for the Indy 500 itself.
‘‘It’s very similar to Bathurst from what I’ve heard and that’s one thing that I believe being in Supercars is going to prepare me well for.
‘‘Being a rookie at 27 years old and having the experience that I’ve had over the years, I genuinely feel like almost I have a leg up.’’
McLaughlin felt a patient approach was crucial for the Indy 500, maintaining speed but also preserving assets waiting for the moment to strike.
‘‘You keep chipping away and chipping away, saving fuel and saving tyres. If you’re in the top five in the last stint, then you have a shot,’’ McLaughlin, who has attended the race as a fan, said.
‘‘I now understand being patient.’’