Novice in Endurance, Josef Newgarden casts a wide net

The double champion ofIndyCar (2017, 2019) is diversifying. In January, Josef Newgarden will compete in his first raceEndurance at the 24 Hours of Daytona, in the Tower Motorsport LM P2. We met him in Florida when he had just tested a prototype for the first time.

« It's not as difficult to fly as a car of IndyCar, but it's still fun, the person told AUTOhebdo. The LM P2 is heavier and the power is not the same. You have to be careful not to overdrive it. It is possible to be aggressive in IndyCar, but not with this car which requires more respect for the tires. I still need to learn where to adapt. »

A future in LMDh for Newgarden?

Obviously, it was the first laps that were the most difficult for Newgarden. “ I was all over the place! he still laughed about it in the evening. I didn't know where the braking point was at the first corner. I had to find my feet. It's not a complicated track, but when you've never driven here it's difficult to get your visual bearings. »

If Daytona was on his list of circuits to add to his prize list, the native of Nashville (Tennessee) also told us his desires for 24 Hours of Le Mans. It could be this year since Tower Motorsport obtained an automatic invitation to the Centenary (June 10-11, 2023) after its title in IMSA. If the participation of the double IndyCar champion is confirmed, it would be without Scott McLaughlin, his friend and teammate at Team Penske in IndyCar. The New Zealander will however be in the same crew at Daytona. The reason: a conflict of dates between the Le Mans test day (June 4) and the Detroit IndyCar round. A problem that does not concern Newgarden, since Platinum-classified drivers can be exempt from this Sunday test, while the New Zealander is “only” Gold.

Newgarden a également ouvert la voie à une venue en Hypercar à l’avenir, d’autant plus qu’il figure déjà dans le giron Penske, structure en charge de l’exploitation des Porsche d’usine en IMSA et en WEC. " If one day I have the opportunity, I will do everything to make myself available. It's amazing to see the Porsche program with Team Penske. It's a sturdy group, with a lot of history and the 963 is magnificent. I would love to be part of a project like this. » The message got through.

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