Arrow McLaren’s Theo Pourchaire who made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES race debut in Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. Starting the race from 22nd place, the Frenchman had a great race where he finished the event just outside the top ten in P11 and speaking following the 85-lap race he said:
“What a crazy, crazy race. We had a strong performance and I’m very happy. The No. 6 onsemi Arrow McLaren Chevy team was awesome today and we were able to take it from 22nd to 11th. This championship and the racing is amazing and I hope to be back in the future. I learned quite a bit throughout the race. It’s pure racing in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and it is a dream come true to be competing with Arrow McLaren, which is such a legendary brand and race team. I’m quite emotional, but it is amazing. I don’t realize it yet, but I’m super happy.”
Pourchaire will probably be back in the No.6 Chevrolet for next weekend’s Children’s of Alabama Grand Prix at Barber Motorsports Park as David Malukas’ cycling injury is reportedly more serious than the team first thought.
Alexander Rossi in the No.7 VELO Chevrolet had a difficult race as he came home just inside the top ten after recovering from contact with his teammate Pato O’Ward speaking following the race, he commented:
“We had a tough weekend dealing with some unique situations. We made some good steps overnight, into the warm-up and into the race. There will always be a check-up when you start that far back and unfortunately, Pato didn’t have anywhere to go. It was just one of those accordion moments. We shifted into recovery mode from there and the team did a good job to hang in and get us into the top 10.”
Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet was handed a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact following his collision with Alexander Rossi and was classified in 16th place speaking following the action, he said:
“First, I’m sorry to the Arrow McLaren team. I limited our ability to push for strong results today – at least for two cars. I take full responsibility for a tough race, but it will be a quick turn to Barber where we’ll regroup and look to bounce back.”
Arrow McLaren Team Principal Gavin Ward commented on the race saying:
That was a mixed bag of a race for us. When you qualify in the middle of the pack, you expose yourself to some first lap incidents and that’s what happened with us. Pato took accountability for the incident with Alexander, and Alexander knows Pato got checked up. Not the day he and the No. 5 Chevy team were looking for, but I have no doubt they’ll bounce back.
“Then, the No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet car and crew had a heck of a race. There was some significant damage done to the car, but they made the most of it with great strategy and execution. That’s the kind of day you need when things aren’t going your way.
“I was super impressed with Théo and with his approach the entire weekend. He kept his nose clean, showed some good pace and learned a lot. The smile and joy is infectious, and it’s hard not to smile thinking about his debut.
Next week we go to Barber, where we were fast at the test. Let’s go fight for the win there.