Christian Lundgaard returns to Exhibition Place a year after securing his first IndyCar victory on the street circuit.
“It brings back a lot of good memories,” Lundgaard said Friday. “But it also comes with pressure. We want to perform at the same level as last year.”
Sunday’s race marks the debut of hybrid powertrains on street circuits following their recent introduction at Mid-Ohio.
“I think with the hybrid this year, many of us will be figuring out how to use it effectively while ensuring the car performs optimally,” said Lundgaard, the 22-year-old driver from Denmark racing for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
Three-time Toronto winner Will Power enters the event fresh off a victory in Iowa on an oval. The Team Penske driver noted that strategic use of the hybrids will be crucial.
“It can still gain you three-tenths (of a second), which is significant in this series. Misusing it could be costly,” Power said.
Alex Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing leads the season standings.
Qualifying on Saturday will determine the starting grid for the 85-lap race.
In Friday’s opening practice session, Colton Herta of Andretti Global set the pace with the fastest lap at 1:01.8906, followed by Palou at 1:02.0804. Lundgaard posted the 12th fastest time at 1:02.6594.
