Andretti Autosport Seeks Sao Paulo Teamwork

IndyCar returns to Sao Paulo, Brazil this weekend for its second race over the 11-turn, 2.6 mile temporary street course where Will Power won and Dario Franchitti sat on pole in 2010.

Andretti Autosport teammates Marco Andretti (fifteenth overall in the IndyCar Series championship standings) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (twenty-second overall) think teamwork will prove the right formula for success at the Indy 300 on Sunday.

"Ryan has been very quick on the road courses," said Andretti, "and hopefully we can share data that let all four of us match up against each other." Danica Patrick and Long Beach champion Mike Conway make up the remaining two drivers on the team.

"We've been quick; it's not for lack of pace. Things just haven't gone our way," added Hunter-Reay. "We have the right cars, and Marco's setup at Long Beach was the best one we had. We just have to concentrate on working together and pushing each other to the top."

Mike Conway, Andretti Autosport, Danica Patrick, Andretti Autosport, Marco Andretti, Andretti Autosport and Ryan Hunter-Reay, Andretti Autosport

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

After an uncharacteristic 2010 season in which Andretti Autosport earned only two wins (Long Beach and Iowa), the team has bounced back, with all four cars racing competitively and one race win already to its credit (Conway at Long Beach).

"The team is gelling," said Andretti. "I've focused on finding a car setup that works for me, primarily on street courses," of his personal work habits heading into the fourth race of the new season.

"Finding a sensible setup, going with what works and taking care of details," said Hunter-Reay, "that is what's important. We're working well together and we're going to be stronger as the season goes on, especially at Indy."

Lengthy experience at Indy is usually the secret to go fast and be successful at Indianapolis, but that is not an issue for Andretti who was second (to Sam Hornish Jr.) in his very first try in 2006.

"As a rookie I'd rather go to Indy than Brazil. There's more time to find your way," offered Andretti. "Also I credit my team, for putting the best car under me. I'm always confident at Indy."

First, there are 75 laps and 195 miles of racing ahead on the streets of Sao Paulo. Andretti crashed out of the race at the start in 2010, while Hunter-Reay recorded a podium finish in second place.

The resurfaced course in South America will host a lightning-fast two-day IndyCar race weekend with practice and qualifications on Saturday, and the race a day later.

The race will be broadcast live on television from Sao Paulo, Brazil at Noon EDT on May 1 on Versus network.