Mutoh relaxed ahead of series debut
Hideki Mutoh has said that he does not feel under pressure as he prepares to make his IndyCar Series debut this weekend
The Japanese driver will step up from the Indy Pro Series for the season finale at Chicagoland, where he will drive a third Panther Racing entry alongside Vitor Meira and his countryman Kosuke Matsuura.
"It is exciting, but this is my first race so I need to be relaxed and just drive natural," Mutoh said. "I don't feel much pressure. Just be cool and stay natural is my plan."
The 24-year-old finished as runner-up in the IPS standings this year behind Alex Lloyd, as the British driver dominated the series.
However, Mutoh believes that his victory at Kentucky in August proves he is ready to make the step up to the big cars, after just one year in the feeder series.
"I have learned a lot this season in the IPS, and after I won the race at Kentucky, I knew I was ready to be an IndyCar driver," he added.
"I won on an oval in the first season, so that was big news because I didn't think I could win in the first year. Now I'm more confident."
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