Juan Pablo Montoya has explained how he does not feel behind ahead of his return to IndyCar at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, despite not competing in a race since the season-ending Grand Prix of Sonoma last September.
Despite a relatively successful return to IndyCar in 2014 following an extensive period in Formula 1 and NASCAR, Montoya was replaced for the 2017 season at Penske by Josef Newgarden.
The 1999 champion managed to procure a deal before being replaced at Penske to return in May for the IndyCar Grand Prix and 101st running of the Indianapolis 500.
Since the final race of last season at Sonoma Montoya has competed in only several official test days for Penske, however the two-time Indianapolis 500 winner does not feel behind in any way.
“I guess I should feel a little behind, but I don’t,” explained Montoya ahead of the IndyCar Grand Prix.
“The guys on the team have been in tune and mixed in with the other teams all season, so we have all the data and those tests went really well.
“I’m so excited to get back on track.”
For the IndyCar Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 Montoya will team-up with Penske full-time racers Will Power, Helio Castroneves, Josef Newgarden and reigning champion Simon Pagenaud.
It will be the fourth IndyCar event on the infield road course, which initially hosted F1’s United States Grand Prix between 2000 and 2007.
So far two of the three races at the road course have been won from pole, adding a great emphasis on grid position and the all-important qualifying session altogether.
“Qualifying is really important and we have been working on a few things we learned at Barber that could apply to getting a good starting spot at Indy,” said Josef Newgarden.
“Our team has been really strong this year and we have proved that we can win on a road course.”
Penske has been exceptionally strong in qualifying so far this season, with Power and Castroneves alternating pole position.
However, both Power and Castroneves have been unable to translate those pole positions into race victories, despite a Penske driver winning the last two races at Phoenix and Barber.
“With road courses, qualifying is so important and we’re ready for that,” said three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves.
“We feel so strong and ready to head into not only the IndyCar Grand Prix but also just the month of May in general.”
