The calendar has turned to March, heightening the sense of urgency as four NTT INDYCAR SERIES teams prepare for the start of the season next month through testing today at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Eight drivers are scheduled to participate in the private test on the 11-turn, 2.258-mile road course in Monterey, California, that features the iconic “Corkscrew” turn complex. Among the notable athletes scheduled to turn laps are Formula One veteran Romain Grosjean and multi-time Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge winners Helio Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya, each with their new teams.
The 2021 season starts with the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama presented by AmFirst on Sunday, April 18 at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. The race will be broadcast live on NBC and the INDYCAR Radio Network.
Grosjean is racing the road-and-street course events this season with Dale Coyne Racing with RWR. He drove an NTT INDYCAR SERIES car for the first time in testing last Tuesday at Barber, finishing the day within nine-tenths of a second of leader Rinus VeeKay.
Castroneves is testing with Meyer Shank Racing, with which he is racing in six events this season. Castroneves is returning to the series after more than 20 years with Team Penske, with which he won the Indy 500 in 2001, 2002 and 2009. His limited schedule this season with MSR will start with the 105th Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on Sunday, May 30.
Montoya is driving for Arrow McLaren SP in the Indy 500, attempting for his third victory with as many teams. He won in 2000 with Chip Ganassi Racing and in 2015 with Team Penske.
The complete testing lineup:
- Arrow McLaren SP: Juan Pablo Montoya, Pato O’Ward, Felix Rosenqvist
- Dale Coyne Racing: Ed Jones, Romain Grosjean
- Ed Carpenter Racing: Rinus VeeKay
- Meyer Shank Racing: Helio Castroneves, Jack Harvey
No live timing or video will be available because this is a private test. But stay tuned to INDYCAR and team social media for coverage throughout the day.