Indy Lights rookie driver Jean-Karl Vernay captured victory in his maiden race in the series and is looking to clinch the title at the end of the year to move on to the IndyCar series next season.
After having spent the last three seasons in the hotly contested Formula 3 Eursoseries, Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay decided to move to the United States this season to pursue his racing career in the best conditions possible.
Verney clinched victory in the opening race of the 2010 season in St. Petersburg, Florida. The rookie is fully aware that he will need to be very successful on the road courses to counterbalance his lack of experience on the ovals.
“It is clear that I’m going to have to win as often as possible on the road courses to score as many points as possible to be in a good position to win the title at the end of the season,” Verney said to Auto123.com.
“I have a lot of learn on the ovals. To drive around all alone on an oval is not that difficult. However, things change dramatically when we’re in the middle of the pack and fighting for positions. Especially since the Indy Lights are almost as fast as the Indy Cars on the ovals as we can reach a stop speed of 330 km/h.
“The rush of adrenalin we get when driving on an oval is really outstanding. It’s really great. I compete in my first oval race during the weekend of the Indy 500. That should be quite thrilling,” Verney said.
The second round of the Indy Lights series will be held at Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama, April 11.
After having spent the last three seasons in the hotly contested Formula 3 Eursoseries, Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay decided to move to the United States this season to pursue his racing career in the best conditions possible.
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| Photo: IndyCar |
Verney clinched victory in the opening race of the 2010 season in St. Petersburg, Florida. The rookie is fully aware that he will need to be very successful on the road courses to counterbalance his lack of experience on the ovals.
“It is clear that I’m going to have to win as often as possible on the road courses to score as many points as possible to be in a good position to win the title at the end of the season,” Verney said to Auto123.com.
“I have a lot of learn on the ovals. To drive around all alone on an oval is not that difficult. However, things change dramatically when we’re in the middle of the pack and fighting for positions. Especially since the Indy Lights are almost as fast as the Indy Cars on the ovals as we can reach a stop speed of 330 km/h.
“The rush of adrenalin we get when driving on an oval is really outstanding. It’s really great. I compete in my first oval race during the weekend of the Indy 500. That should be quite thrilling,” Verney said.
The second round of the Indy Lights series will be held at Barber Motorsport Park in Alabama, April 11.