Simon Pagenaud is prepared to take no prisoners in 2018.
The 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series champion put together a run of consistency in his title defense last year that included 13 top-five and 15 top-10 finishes – both career highs – to accompany with two wins, one pole and 187 laps led. But it wasn’t enough to prevent Team Penske teammate Josef Newgarden from snatching away the championship.
Looking to the 2018 season that begins this week in St. Petersburg, Florida, Pagenaud’s aim is to get back to the form that won him the Astor Cup two seasons ago when he set personal standard with five wins, seven poles and a staggering 406 laps led.
“I think (2017) was great, probably one of my best Indy car seasons. Looking at the average result, it was the best average, but it did not win me the championship, unfortunately,” said Pagenaud, driver of the No. 22 Menards Team Penske Chevrolet.
“That means I need to win more races. Obviously, ’16 was an example. We had worse (overall) results, but more wins (than last year), so we have to find ways to be a little bit more aggressive at times, maybe. That can be good, that can bad, because that means my consistency might not be quite as good. It might be worth taking a risk and seeing how it goes this year.
“I think the (new universal aero kit) package is going to make it very different in terms of the racing, so we have to wait and see.”
A greater emphasis for improvement will be in qualifying. Despite the likelihood of the field being in constant flux from the drop of the green flag, there is still a premium on vying for the Verizon P1 Award.
“Yeah, there’s definitely a big advantage starting up front,” Pagenaud. “You have clear track and just go for it, but I think the new package will allow you to run in traffic better and therefore have better chances to get the lead if you race better.
“I think qualifying is always important, super important, but I don’t think it will be as important with this new package. (But) qualifying is super important and being on the front row always going to make a big difference.”
Pagenaud’s accolades have included being the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series champion, 2012 rookie of the year and 2010 American Le Mans Series champion, but one honor still eludes him: an Indianapolis 500 victory. Like most in the sport, it’s what the Frenchman craves.
“That’s a personal goal of mine, No. 1 personal goal of mine before the championship, even now,” said Pagenaud, who owns two top-10 finishes in six starts at the historic 2.5-mile oval.
“I’ve already been working a lot on it this winter. I’m already very focused on it. That doesn’t mean I’m not focused on the championship, but Indy is becoming a very big priority. We’ll see how the car behaves. We have a test end of March, I believe. We have a good idea of where we are already and that (test) will give us (more of) an idea. But yeah, it’s an exciting one.
“It’s definitely the one race. … Personally, I don’t count it as part of the championship. So if I’m second in the last corner, I’m going to go for it.”
The Verizon IndyCar Series opens with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday. Live action begins at 12:30 p.m. ET on ABC and the Advance Auto Parts INDYCAR Radio Network.