'Seriously impressive': Scott McLaughlin stuns US with 'special' IndyCar performance
The motorsport world was in awe of Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin after yet another impressive display behind the wheel in IndyCar testing.
MacLaughlin could seal a move to the US after this year’s Supercars championship and he impressed yet again after finishing third-fastest.
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The DJR Team Penske ace was one of 27 drivers to take part in Wednesday's test run at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas.
The session was topped by experienced Australian Will Power with a one minute and 46.7603 second fastest lap but McLaughlin's best was just half a second off his Penske teammate's mark.
Fans in the US raved about McLaughlin’s skill ahead of a potential move.
Not sure if this qualifies as a 🔥 take or not, but here it is:
I’m more excited about future Scott McLaughlin IndyCar races than I am about future Fernando Alonso IndyCar races.— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) February 12, 2020
Scott McLaughlin just letting Roger know he ain't f*****g around 👀. I had a feeling he'd do good, but wow. Seriously impressive. Really hope he makes the jump to the US full time. He's special man.
— Justin (@J_Troc_71) February 13, 2020
Scott McLaughlin finished the day THIRD fastest, with very limited open-wheel experience.
Only Will Power and Alexander Rossi were quicker than the two-time Supercars champion.
Very encouraging pace by Scotty Mac. #INDYCAR— Kobe Lambeth (@KobeLambeth) February 13, 2020
So I guess Scott McLaughlin answered the “can he adapt to an IndyCar after years driving tin-top cars” question in a rather emphatic fashion at COTA today. #IndyCar
— Kitch 🇦🇺 (@kitchtrips) February 13, 2020
@smclaughlin93 if you put up lap times like that you won't surprise anyone when you move here full time. You're supposed to carry at least a few sandbags to disguise yourself as human. #alien #iracing
— Ryan Terpstra (@trc_terpstra) February 12, 2020
Rossi with a new fastest lap of the @IndyCar #OpenTest at COTA. 1:47.7965. 1.7s off of the pole time from last year on the quicker tyres and better track conditions.
Meanwhile, Scott McLaughlin has just moved up to P4 with a 1:48.0383! Really impressive! #IndyCar— Jordan Groves (@JGROVES1996) February 12, 2020
This year's Supercars championship is looking increasingly like it will be McLaughlin's last in Australia before a move to America.
While the 26-year-old will return to Australia to begin his title defence at the season opening Adelaide 500 next week, the Texas practice run was important ahead of his IndyCar series debut at the Indianapolis Grand Prix in May.
"It's hard on your neck and body," McLaughlin said of the open-wheel racer.
"I've been training really hard to get ready for it. I'm really happy with the car so far.
"I felt really comfortable and my seat position is really good. That's ideal because I'm not going to have many times in the car before the Indianapolis Grand Prix."
