Arrow McLaren driver Christian Lundgaard has indicated the need for experience ahead of tomorrow’s Mid Ohio GP.
Unique circumstances led to big names exiting qualifying for the Mid Ohio GP in the early stages. Kyle Kirkwood, and all three Penske’s were just some of the casualties.
This allowed for rookies and unfamiliar names to have a chance at pole position glory. Nolan Seigel ledthe charge, but could not convert a solid opening lap into pole position. Instead, it was the familiar duo of Christian Lundgaard and Alex Palou at the top of the timesheets when the session ended.
Speaking in the post qualifying press conference, Christian Lundgaard praised the rookies and younger drivers for their efforts in Mid Ohio. He gave an honest reflection of whether experience would truimph over youth.
” I don’t know,” he said. “I feel like there’s more and more young drivers that are kind of showing potential, I would say, throughout this year, and I think Kyffin is definitely one of them. He’s been very competitive lately.
“I know what Nolan is capable of. I know he’s fast, and it’s nice to finally see him do it this weekend, get into the Firestone Fast Six.”
‘Racing in the front is kind of a different animal’
However, Lundgaard hinted that younger drivers would be in for a very different race on Sunday starting so high up the order. He highlighted the need for experience and said the big names would make their presence felt during the race.
“But racing in the front is kind of a different animal, and I think Alex will agree with this. As soon as you’re starting to check out, it’s the small details that matter.
“Some of them haven’t been exposed to that in the past, and that’s why I think you see the veterans always kind of making their way forward in the race even if they’re having a bad qualifying.
Asked how he plans to defend from drivers starting on new red tyres in Mid Ohio, Christian Lundgaard was coy.
“I think it depends, I don’t know, did you see that big of a difference between the tires? I was surprised how big of a difference there was on a new set of alts versus a used set. We didn’t really run a used set but we saw the difference from the other cars, and I think that helped us make the decision to put a third set on in the Fast Six.
But how they’re going to do in the race, I don’t think we really know yet. I think some cars are very strong on primes, some cars are very strong on alts. Again, I think you can make both strategies work.
