Despite not participating in the Verizon IndyCar Series test at the one-mile Phoenix International Raceway, twenty-four-year-old Alexander Rossi was an interested observer as he prepares himself for his rookie season in 2016.
The American joined Andretti Autosport last week in the entry that will be run in conjunction with Bryan Herta Autosport, and was at the oval in Phoenix to begin his learning programme having never competed around an oval before in his racing career having concentrated on European racing for the majority of his career.
“I’m very excited to be here and to have the opportunity to participate, especially with a team with so much pedigree as Andretti, and I’m really looking forward to getting in the car for the first time,” said Rossi, who raced for Manor Racing in Formula 1 for five races in 2015.
“I’m here kind of in an observatory role. I’ve never been to an oval before, never driven an oval, and obviously never driven the car. I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and get to know the people and how they work and operate.
“It’s a little bit different than what I’m used to, so it’s good to have an idea before I get in the car for the first time.”
Rossi will get his first taste of the Dallara-Honda during the next IndyCar test at the Sebring International Raceway on March 1.
