Lundqvist heads into this weekend’s spherical on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway highway course eighth within the standings, which was aided by a current strategic masterpiece to go from 19th to 3rd at Barber.
Though the outing got here in solely the 25-year-old Swede’s third points-paying race behind the wheel of CGR’s No. 8 Honda, he’s resetting any expectations.
“I would not say that my expectations have been reversed in any method, form or kind as a result of I nonetheless realise that I’ve a lot to be taught,” stated Lundqvist, the 2022 Indy NXT champion.
“I’ve an extended strategy to go earlier than I will be constantly preventing for podiums week out, week in.
“However I believe we undoubtedly took a step. … It was sort of a receipt that when every little thing does click on, we’ll be capable to struggle for these wins and podiums, which on the finish of the day that is what we’re right here to do.”
Lundqvist went on so as to add “the step” he and the group have taken.
“I am nonetheless working by totally different setups for me to be 100% snug in,” he stated.
“Proper now, even when the automotive theoretically must be the quickest, I am not likely but on the consolation stage to drive it that method. You lose extra out of the driving force than you’d probably achieve from the automotive, if you recognize what I imply. It is about discovering that candy spot.
“As my confidence grows within the automotive, what I am asking for, they’ll sort of comply with alongside and hopefully spice issues up.
“It is a course of. It is a course of that neither me or the group wish to rush by. We’re not driving round at 90%, but it surely’s nonetheless not one thing that we’re overly careworn about. We all know as soon as every little thing clicks, we’ll be proper up there.”
Scott McLaughlin, Group Penske Chevrolet, Will Energy, Group Penske Chevrolet, Linus Lundqvist, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda celebrateson the rostrum with champagne
Picture by: Richard Dole / Motorsport Images
Lundqvist’s focus is certain to be examined this weekend with 85 laps across the 2.439-mile, 14-turn circuit, and that’s largely as a result of it’s the solely race remaining earlier than embarking on his first-ever try on the Indianapolis 500.
“It is robust,” Lundqvist stated.
“It is extraordinarily laborious. It is one thing that you’ve got labored your entire life in the direction of. The dream, it is to compete and clearly win the five hundred.
“I believe simply take it one step at a time. The objective proper now’s to attempt to win Indy GP and do effectively there. Then clearly there is a fast turnaround and the shifting begins, the main focus begins to be shifted in the direction of the five hundred. Clearly, we now have loads of follow periods forward, which is good for me.
“You then sort of digest it into smaller targets. The primary one for me is get snug in visitors, then we’ll see how lengthy that takes. It’d take the entire month. May not even be snug after the five hundred, who is aware of. I believe that is going to be the most important factor for me, is getting used to having 30-odd automobiles round you.”