Marco Andretti has emphasised the need for his team to convert his early pace around the Long Beach street course into a competitive result, especially after his frustrating start to the 2017 season last time out at St. Petersburg.
Although Andretti managed to eventually finish seventh in the season opener, he struggled somewhat during the all-important qualifying session despite showing promising pace in practice and only managed to qualify 15th.
During practice two for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach Andretti succeeded in showing off the true pace of his Honda-powered Andretti Autosport machine, ending the session a mighty second overall behind the Penske of Will Power.
"The car is on edge, but I think that's where we need to be to be quick,” explained Andretti, who has only ever won twice in his IndyCar career.
“I like the predictability of the car. I felt like I could drive it to the limit, which is important to be able to wring it out in qualifying.
“I'm pleased with the pace and the pace we had all through testing, so it's good to keep the pace here and back it up.
“We really need to convert this pace into results, and I really think we can.”
Andretti Autosport team-mate and 2012 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay is also confident that he can excel during qualifying for the 85-lap race, however improvements need to be made overnight after a far from perfect start to his weekend.
"We seemed to overstep it a little that session, just got a little bit too aggressive with the car,” said Hunter-Reay.
“I almost felt like in that session it was starting to drive me, I just couldn't attack it.
“We just need to make some changes and I have faith that if we make the right ones, we can get the car in the front row.”
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