Kiwi driver laps up his ‘insane sense of speed’
Scott McLaughlin has ‘‘a new sense of speed’’ after coming through an ‘‘insane’’ IndyCar test with flying colours.
McLaughlin, the double Supercars champion from New Zealand, finished his second testing session in the United States with the third fastest time in Texas.
He was nestled between Team Penske team-mates Will Power and defending series champion Josef Newgarden at the top of a table featuring 27 drivers, most with vast experience. Fellow Kiwi and five-time champion Scott Dixon was ninth.
As he gets set to return to the Australian scene, the 26-year-old McLaughlin felt he had done virtually all he could in testing to prepare him for his Indycar debut in Indianapolis in May.
He got through 62 laps in his latest session, blessed with several changes for new tyres. His best time came on his 58th lap and left him comfortably the fastest of the seven rookies involved.
‘‘I’m really happy with how it’s gone. I’m happy with how we are going. I’m having a good crack at it,’’ McLaughlin told Fox Sports.
‘‘I have to thank my team in Australia to help me get to this point. And I can’t thank the team over here enough. It’s been a dream come true. This is
America’s biggest open wheel series.
‘‘I’ve always just wanted to be in America. I’m proud to be here. But I’m also looking forward to getting home and racing my Ford Mustang.
‘‘Overall, I’m pretty proud to look at the board and be third. But everyone else probably has a little more in their tank.’’
He then explained the huge differences he has had to overcome in adjusting to the IndyCar.
‘‘There is so much grip in these cars. It is hard on your neck . . . I’ve been training really hard for this,’’ he told media after the session.
‘‘The speed I can carry through the corners . . . it’s insane.
‘‘I’m getting used to being able to use the aero. You feel every bump. The G-forces are huge. Your neck gets a hammering.
‘‘There is no power steering. In the V8 cars, we are quite lucky with that. You really have to force the car. We are going 250 through the corners, so it is full on.
‘‘I’m a race car driver and I like going fast, so this is a lot faster . . . I have a new sense of speed.’’