Former IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay is heading into the 2016 season opener around the streets of St. Petersburg with renewed optimism, as the Andretti Autosport racer aims to begin the new season from where he ended 2015.
Towards the end of last season Hunter-Reay secured two victories in the final four races, including second place at the season finale in Sonoma.
The 35-year-old’s optimism has been boosted by the introduction of Honda’s revised aero kit for road and street courses for the new season, which Andretti Autosport in particular are aiming to utilise to their advantage once the season gets underway on the bumpy Florida street course.
"We concluded the 2015 season with great momentum, capturing two race wins,” explained Hunter-Reay ahead of the season opener.
“As a team we're ready to build on that form with a revised aero kit from Honda on the road and street courses.
“The new aero package will take some tweaking and working with to find the sweet spot to suit the specific needs at a track like St. Pete, but we've had some productive tests leading up to the season opener.”
Despite racking up 14 race victories throughout his IndyCar career, Hunter-Reay has never won around the streets of St. Petersburg.
With Andretti Autosport widely regarded as a dark horse ahead of the new season, Hunter-Reay in particular will be eyeing 2016 as a major chance to return to the top of the pecking order.
“It's hard to believe this will already be my seventh year with Andretti Autosport, we've won 13 races together and we're hungrier than ever for more,” concluded Hunter-Reay.
