Scott McLaughlin entered the 2022 IndyCar season feeling like he wasn’t living up to his standards, having run in the middle of the pack for much of his rookie season.
But his sophomore outing has been much more productive, and he is quickly coming to grips with his new discipline. Three wins and seven podiums show that the Kiwi is truly mastering the details of driving an open wheel car.
Despite having a dominant career in Australian Supercars earlier in his life and earning three consecutive championships, McLaughlin feels that he is driving better now than he ever has in his life.
“I feel like a completely different driver even from the start of the year at St. Pete,” said a noticeably comfortable McLaughlin after his Portland win. “I just feel a lot more complete.
“I feel like I’m driving the best I have my whole life. Hopefully that means good things for next year, and we can work together as a team. Like, the team’s cars are unreal to drive.
“I think Detroit for me was a big turnaround. I made a mistake I shouldn’t have made, and that was because I was trying to overdo everything and control everything. It was a big mindset change.
“From then on we’ve been really strong. I think what we’re doing right now is building for a massive year next year. I haven’t finished out of the top five or top four for the last six events or something.
“I’m feeling really strong. There’s no reason why this can’t be great momentum for next year, and yeah, I feel like I’m driving the best I ever have in my whole career right now.”
McLaughlin still has an outside chance of winning the title this year, but that prospect is pretty unlikely with only one race remaining on the calendar.
Regardless, the 29-year-old has made many strides this year, and that has led to him being happy to have found a new home in America.
“I feel really comfortable, and comfortable with the team,” continued McLaughlin. “That’s what you need to tackle championships, especially in this series.
“I’ll just keep hammering over here, and have a lot of fun doing it. It’s been a ball. I feel like a different person, man. I’m so happy. My wife is so happy. It’s just cool. I’m just having probably the best time of my life.”
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