ALPINE DRIVER TO RACE INDYCAR

Alpine Academy and FIA Formula 2 Championship driver Christian Lundgaard has signed to race an IndyCar in the next round of the series Indianapolis this weekend.

The Danish driver will race for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) when the American open-wheel series takes to the 14-turn road course.

Lundgaard, like Australian Oscar Piastri, is an Alpine junior driver and one of his opponents in the second-tier Formula 2 Championship.

The decision by Lundgaard to make his IndyCar Series debut is not as far left field as you may think, as he tested with RLL on July 26 at Barber Motorsports Park.

While he was in the United States he visited the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and did a seat fitting.

Lundgaard will jump behind the wheel of the #45 machine which has been driven by American Santino Ferrucci in five events this year.

Lundgaard is excited to race in the IndyCar Series this weekend and is excited to see how he compares against the regulars.

“I’m super excited to try IndyCar this week,” Lundgaard said. “I’ve been very fortunate so far in my career to drive some incredible race cars, and I’m looking forward to officially adding IndyCar to that list.

“In preparation for this race, I tested the car, and it felt pretty awesome, and I’m sure it will feel even better at a race weekend in race conditions alongside all the hugely talented drivers in the field.

Lundgaard is very thankful for the opportunity that RLL and his sponsors for supporting him and will give it everything this weekend.

“There’s been a lot of work to make this happen and prepare as best as possible, and I’m feeling ready for the challenge,” he said.

“I’ve actually watched all IndyCar races this year, so to be given the chance to line up on the grid is amazing.

“There will be a lot to learn in a short space of time, but trying something new excites me. I can’t thank enough Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Alpine, my sponsors and investors for supporting me with this opportunity. It’s a unique chance and I can’t wait to give it my all.”

In Formula 2 last year Lundgaard scored two race victories and finished seventh in the championship with ART Grand Prix.

However, this season has him suffer a challenging first half, he sits in 12th in the championship after scoring two podiums.

Team co-owner of RLL, Bobby Rahal explained that he was impressed by Lundgaard at the test and is excited to see what he can do this weekend.

“We were very pleased with the job that Christian did at our recent test at Barber Motorsports Park and are looking forward to seeing him perform at Indianapolis Motor Speedway,” said Rahal.

“It’s going to be a new experience and a big challenge due to the lack of practice time compared to other races.

“The road course is very much like European circuits given that it was designed for Formula One and Grand Prix races, so I think it will be less of an issue than going to one of our more traditional IndyCar race tracks.

“Given the lack of test time and practice time, we don’t have any grand expectations of him other than to go out and do a steady job and go from there.”

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