Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi in the No.7 VELO Chevrolet was fastest on the opening day of practice for Sunday’s Sonsio Grand Prix of Road America, having set a fastest time of 01:41.7790s and speaking following the action he commented saying:
“It was interesting for us, having tested here last week, to understand the differences between the tires we used last week and the tire that Firestone brought for this weekend, because no one that tested here last week had that tire. Understanding how those offset and then trying the Firestone Reds for the first time was important. It was an interesting session and there’s definitely a lot to digest overnight.”
Pato O’Ward in the No.5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, was fifth fastest and speaking following the action, he commented saying:
”The track has been a joy to drive at the test last week and so far here on race weekend. I think we are starting right where we left off at the test. The car feels like it’s in the window, and we can definitely make it better. That’s what we’re going to try to do overnight and get ready for qualifying tomorrow. “
Felix Rosenqvist in the No.6 onsemi Chevrolet ended the day in eighth place and speaking following the action he commented saying:
”We tested here last week because we picked this as a track where we wanted to improve. It’s a completely new surface as well, so it’s a bit of a two-for-one coming here last week. That really felt like it has paid off. We were up there with all three cars for the whole session, so that’s a really good way to start the weekend. This is a challenge with this new surface, it’s almost like a new track. It kind of resets the field, but we feel like we’re on the right side of it.”
Arrow McLaren Race Director Gavin Ward commented saying:
“That’s a solid start for us. Obviously, we’re one of the teams that tested here, so it was a little easier getting up to speed. We didn’t know what the tire would be like today because we didn’t run the same tire here last week. It’s looking like an interesting one here as we try to figure what to do for qualifying tire strategy – I think everyone’s been scratching their heads a little bit. That’ll be fun. But it’s good start from us, and we’ll chip away from here.”