MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin top IndyCar rookie
Reigning Aussie Supercars champ named IndyCar rookie of the yearSupercars graduate Scott McLaughlin stayed safe and sensible to wrap up the IndyCar championship’s prestigious Rookie of the Year award on the treacherous concrete-lined walls of Long Beach.
His only rival for the Rookie honour, former Formula 1 grand prix racer Romain Grosjean, took himself out of contention when he brushed a wall and broke his suspension on a day where Spaniard Alex Palou took the IndyCar crown.
So 11th at the finish was good enough for McLaughlin at the end of his first season in America’s premier single-seater series, where even Grosjean complimented him on the challenging step up from Supercars to IndyCar open-wheelers.
“I'm very impressed with Scott McLaughlin. His adaptation to single-seater,” said Grosjean.
McLaughlin was 14th overall in the IndyCar standings, one spot and 33 points ahead of Grosjean, but is already looking ahead to the 2022 season with Team Penske as he celebrates his success.
“Really proud. Really excited for next year,” said McLaughlin.
“This was a foundation year, all about building, and I feel like I’ve done that. Hopefully I can be a little further up next year.”
McLaughlin admits he has taken time to learn and adjust to his new career in the USA, particularly switching from Supercars to the IndyCar single-seater.
“I finally got it to my liking in the last six or seven races,” he said.
For Palou, taking the IndyCar -- the 14th for team owner Chip Ganassi -- completed a childhood dream.
“What a race. What a year,” said Palou.
The Long Beach GP was won by Colton Herta -- his third win of the season -- who stormed through from 14th after a mistake in qualifying.
McLaughlin is already looking forward to his second season in IndyCar as he appears unlikely to return to Australia for the Repco Bathurst 1000 because of pre-season testing commitments.
“Every year I need to get better. Figure out my flaws, and where I’m strong, and then work out a ranking on what I work on.
“It’s all about building relationships and getting better,” he said.
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