IndyCar News: Pourchaire completes first IndyCar oval test

McLaren injury replacement driver Theo Pourchaire has completed his first IndyCar oval test at Gateway (World Wide Technology Raceway) on Monday.

Pourchaire is now eligible for oval races aside from the Indianapolis 500, for which he would need to pass the Rookie Orientation Program.

“We just finished the day here in St Louis and it’s been a great day,” said the Frenchman.

“I was really happy that I was able to get back behind the wheel of the Arrow McLaren IndyCar and to have this opportunity again was great.

“The first time for me on an oval was really exciting. I couldn’t wait to feel the driving on an oval.

“I can say it now, it’s really quick, really impressive. You have to be really smooth on the steering wheel, the steering inputs going back on power and be really smooth in the car.

“It feels amazing. I’m really happy.

“I’m really tired mentally as well because it’s super quick and you don’t want to do a mistake on a track like this.

“If you do a small mistake, you can end up in the wall and we all know that ending up in the wall on an oval is really dangerous.”