Baguette: “A great moment”

Bertrand Baguette (Conquest Racing), finishing 24th in Pole Day last Saturday, provided the essentials. The Belgian, last qualifier of the day (Pole Day determines places 1 to 24 of the Indy 500 while the next day, Bump Day, the other drivers compete for the nine remaining places), thus climbed into eighth row , alongside Simona de Silvestro, another beginner in IndyCar Series but who already knows American races well, and Danica Patrick, booed by the crowd for blaming her car for her 23rd place.

« I can finally officially say that I will be there, declares Bertrand Baguette in AUTOhebdo, on sale this week. It's exceptional, I've just arrived here, and the second oval race of my life will be the Indy 500! The race is long and difficult, so at the beginning we will watch what is happening, being careful not to get stuck. Afterwards, depending on my position, we will decide on the strategy. One thing is certain, the level is very high, as evidenced by the non-qualification of Paul Tracy. »

After qualifying, Bertrand Baguette's next test will take place this Friday for a final practice session. “ Carburation Day is the warm-up in Indy 500 version, specifies the Belgian. For an hour, I will have the opportunity to ride with my car in racing configuration. It will be around 80 kg heavier with all the fuel on board and, above all, there will be traffic on the track. »

Although he has already driven several hours on the Indianapolis circuit, the 2009 Formula champion Renault 3.5 Series knows that it will have a lot to do during the first laps of the race. “ I have been told that my vision of the circuit will be radically different on Sunday when the stands will be full. In the first laps, it seems that we tend to take our foot off in turn 1 as we have the impression that the track is narrower. If the 500 Miles takes place without a safety car, we will carry out seven refuelings but this is never the case. It is not uncommon for the test to last more than three hours! In any case, I am ready and impatient to experience what will be a great moment in my automotive career. »