IndyCar stars positive despite challenging Bathurst baptism
IndyCar regulars Alexander Rossi and James Hinchcliffe are "chipping away" at the daunting Mount Panorama circuit, after ending Thursday practice for the Bathurst 1000 at the foot of the times.

It was a challenging opening day for the Walkinshaw Andretti United-run wildcard entry, the car at the bottom of the times in two of the three sessions.
Rossi and Hinchcliffe started the day 4.5s off the ultimate pace and 1.2s behind the next-best car in Practice 1, that gap coming down to 3.4s and a tenth off Tekno driver Jack Le Brocq in the final session.
In between the two open sessions Hinchcliffe was just 2s off the pace in the all-co-driver practice, even edging Super2 regular Jack Smith.
Read Also:
The lack of heroics isn't concerning Hinchcliffe just yet, though, the Canadian happy to be patient given the 'immense challenge' of learning a new car and new track at the same time.
“The goal today was to get as many laps in as possible and learn as much as possible, and I think we did that," said Hinchcliffe.
"Everybody at Walkinshaw Andretti United did a great job getting Alex and I up to speed and as prepared as possible, but at the end of the day until you turn laps, it’s all just words and lines on paper.
"I think both us of will have a lot to sleep on tonight.
"The cars are incredibly different from what we’re used to; the track is an immense challenge and trying to learn both things simultaneously is a big ask.
"But everyone on the programme is fully committed to the cause and we’re looking forward to seeing how we can improve ourselves overnight.”
Rossi agreed that the fast, concrete-lined circuit is a difficult place to learn a new car, but that the crew will continue "chipping away" when practice resumes tomorrow.
"It was an okay first day – it was a lot to learn," he said.
"What we keep reminding ourselves is not only is this a new track for us, but it’s a car that we’re not completely comfortable with either. We’re trying to figure out all of those things at once, around a place that doesn’t have a margin for error.
"It’s quite challenging but the team has been super helpful. James and I have both improved significantly each session and we’ll just have to keep chipping away at it tomorrow."

Previous article
Bathurst 1000: McLaughlin lowers Mount Panorama lap record
Next article
Slade no certainty to stay at BJR for 2020

About this article
Series | Supercars |
Event | Bathurst |
Drivers | Alexander Rossi , James Hinchcliffe |
Author | Andrew van Leeuwen |
IndyCar stars positive despite challenging Bathurst baptism
Trending
Sam Brabham drives BT-19 at Mount Panorama
Todd Kelly builds André's Bathurst 1000 engine
Can DJR still be a Supercars powerhouse after Penske?
Roger Penske's whirlwind Australian Supercars sojourn is over. After six seasons, three drivers' titles, three teams' championships and a Bathurst 1000 crown, The Captain has sold his controlling stake in Dick Johnson Racing back to the squad and walked away from the category.
Can Whincup be Triple Eight's ruthless leader?
Supercars' most successful team of the past 15 years is set for a radical shakeup next year when Jamie Whincup retires from driving and takes over the reins at Triple Eight. But does he have what it takes to be the new Roland Dane?
How a lifetime Supercars deal broke down in one year
David Reynolds inked what was effectively a lifetime deal with Erebus in 2019 – only to walk out a year later. What went wrong?
Why Supercars now needs a new "human salt harvester"
Scott McLaughlin has been a controversial figure in Supercars over the past few years but, as he heads off to a fresh challenge in IndyCar, the Australian tin-top series needs to find someone else to fill his drama-filled boots as the category enters a new era...
Why 2020 isn't McLaughlin's greatest title
Scott McLaughlin was quick to describe his third Supercars title as his best yet. But even though it didn't match the dramatic backstory of his 2018 triumph, there's a good reason for him wanting to control the narrative this time around.
Why a Bathurst finale is risky business for Supercars
The Bathurst Grand Final may provide Supercars its greatest spectacle yet – but there's a risk it will force the series to face a hard truth.
Why Scott McLaughlin must become an IndyCar driver
Scott McLaughlin, two-time and current Supercars champion, should have been making his NTT IndyCar Series debut for Team Penske at the GP of Indianapolis, but the Covid-19 pandemic forced a rescheduling that has put the brakes on his career switch. But David Malsher-Lopez explains why the New Zealander deserves this opportunity as soon as possible.
Tickford's 10-year wait for James Courtney
When the Supercars season resumes James Courtney will be a Tickford Racing driver – but it's not the first time the star driver has flirted with the famous Ford squad.