Dubai: Dubai-born Indy Car driver Ed Jones is confident despite poor qualifying for this Sunday’s Indy 500, round six of the current 17-stage season.
The 23-year-old Englishman, who won Rookie of the Year last year after finishing third at this event, will start from row 10 of 11 on the grid after a mistake in qualifying.
“I went into turn one and just lost the front of the car,” he said. “I was heading for the wall on the exit so had to lift, which destroyed my momentum. That lap really hurt my average and it was very disappointing to have that happen, especially after having a solid car.
“I felt so bad letting the team down, but we have a good race car that drafts up very well to the other cars – maybe even better than the one I had last year – and we’re determined to work our way to the front.”
Jones is currently 14th in the standings after one podium and two top 10s from five starts. This is his second season in the format, and his first with his new team Chip Ganassi since joining from Dale Coyne over the winter.
