A rookie driver in the IZOD IndyCar series this season with Conquest Racing, Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette answered Auto123.com’s questions prior to driving his very first laps on the famed and fast Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Auto123.com: Last time we spoke, you were about to compete in your maiden IndyCar race at Barber Motorsport Park. Since then, you’ve raced in three IRL events -- Barber, Long Beach and Kansas Speedway -- how did things go?
Bertrand Baguette: The first two races were quite difficult and did not bring the results we were hoping for. The car had massive understeer and we did not manage to solve it. A car that doesn’t want to turn in the corners is quite a challenge to drive! For the third race on the Kansas oval, I switched cars and the other chassis was handling much better. My teammate Mario Romancini crashed during practice and had to revert to my old car and he struggled with it.
Auto123.com: How was your first experience on an oval?
Baguette: I was part of the group of rookie drivesr. We were all taken out for two or three laps around the track with Al Unser Junior who gave us the main pointers. We then took part in the Rookie Orientation program. Driving the first laps at those speeds on an oval is quite frightening. We were getting very close to the outside wall! But you get use to it quickly. We were then asked to built up speed and gain confidence. After that, it was a new experience in qualifying and driving through traffic. The lines are quite different and the handling of the car is altered. But things went well for me.
Auto123.com: How did you do in Kansas?
Baguette: The car was running well and a top 15 finish was possible. However, I made some mistakes during the pit stops. On the first stop, I drove too fast in the pit lane and received a drive-though penalty. On my second stop, I missed my box and the guys had to move my car around to be able to work on it. The same thing happened on my third pit stop. It’s really disappointing because I was competitive. But after each stop, I was dropping down the field because of my mistakes. But considering that I was driving a car that had been taken straight out of the box, it is promising for the Indy 500.
Auto123.com: How are you getting prepared for the famous Indy 500?
Baguette: It will be a tough race because it will be extremely competitive. Tony Kanaan told us that this would be the strongest field he’s ever faced since doing the Indy 500. There are 40 cars entered for 33 spots at the start. Qualifying will be difficult but we’ll fight and work hard.
Auto123.com: How’s your life in the United States?
Baguette: Very good! It’s quite fun. I’ve been welcomed by the Bachelart family (fellow countryman Éric Bachelart, the owner of the Conquest Racing team). Indianapolis is a nice town. The mentality in IndyCar racing is very different from what I was used to in Europe. The drivers talk with each other and we have fun together. This week, I am back in Belgium for a few days. I spend some timer with my family and my friends before I return in the USA for the Indy 500.
Auto123.com: Last time we spoke, you were about to compete in your maiden IndyCar race at Barber Motorsport Park. Since then, you’ve raced in three IRL events -- Barber, Long Beach and Kansas Speedway -- how did things go?
Bertrand Baguette: The first two races were quite difficult and did not bring the results we were hoping for. The car had massive understeer and we did not manage to solve it. A car that doesn’t want to turn in the corners is quite a challenge to drive! For the third race on the Kansas oval, I switched cars and the other chassis was handling much better. My teammate Mario Romancini crashed during practice and had to revert to my old car and he struggled with it.
Auto123.com: How was your first experience on an oval?
Baguette: I was part of the group of rookie drivesr. We were all taken out for two or three laps around the track with Al Unser Junior who gave us the main pointers. We then took part in the Rookie Orientation program. Driving the first laps at those speeds on an oval is quite frightening. We were getting very close to the outside wall! But you get use to it quickly. We were then asked to built up speed and gain confidence. After that, it was a new experience in qualifying and driving through traffic. The lines are quite different and the handling of the car is altered. But things went well for me.
Auto123.com: How did you do in Kansas?
Baguette: The car was running well and a top 15 finish was possible. However, I made some mistakes during the pit stops. On the first stop, I drove too fast in the pit lane and received a drive-though penalty. On my second stop, I missed my box and the guys had to move my car around to be able to work on it. The same thing happened on my third pit stop. It’s really disappointing because I was competitive. But after each stop, I was dropping down the field because of my mistakes. But considering that I was driving a car that had been taken straight out of the box, it is promising for the Indy 500.
Auto123.com: How are you getting prepared for the famous Indy 500?
Baguette: It will be a tough race because it will be extremely competitive. Tony Kanaan told us that this would be the strongest field he’s ever faced since doing the Indy 500. There are 40 cars entered for 33 spots at the start. Qualifying will be difficult but we’ll fight and work hard.
Auto123.com: How’s your life in the United States?
Baguette: Very good! It’s quite fun. I’ve been welcomed by the Bachelart family (fellow countryman Éric Bachelart, the owner of the Conquest Racing team). Indianapolis is a nice town. The mentality in IndyCar racing is very different from what I was used to in Europe. The drivers talk with each other and we have fun together. This week, I am back in Belgium for a few days. I spend some timer with my family and my friends before I return in the USA for the Indy 500.