Penske’s Simon Pagenaud is relishing the opportunity to race around the streets of Boston when the Verizon IndyCar Series heads to the east coast for its inaugural race in the city later this year.
The inaugural Grand Prix of Boston is currently scheduled to take place on September 4th as debate regarding the suitability of the race continues.
Earlier this month, Pagenaud was given a tour of the proposed circuit layout in Boston that also includes a tunnel section, of which the Frenchman spoke fondly.
"The underground aspect is very unique," Pagenaud said. "I mainly look forward to hearing the sound of the car as I drive under it.
“The layout is very fun and the track itself is in a fast-growing area with a great dynamic. I should be able to get good speed because the wide track, fast corners and smooth roads after all of the work [is completed] will most likely make this track one of the fastest tracks there is.
"The Verizon IndyCar Series is very excited for the potential that Boston brings as a whole. It is exciting to be able to reach out to another population in a great area and hopefully see its economy change for the better as a result of the race. I would really like to thank the city of Boston for this opportunity.”
In December, organisers in Boston were forced to issue a statement that confirmed taxpayers would be protected from the costs of staging the event and that the area used for the race would be returned to its previous condition after the weekend.
“I am pleased that the City of Boston, Grand Prix and our other administration have made progress on the project and provided protections for taxpayers, Boston residents and our state,” Massachusetts governor Charlie Barker said at the time.
