Junqueira: happy to follow Montoya's path

"Race drivers always have pressure because you are measured on your performance," said Junqueira. "Montoya did a good job. I don't know what to expect this year. I don't know whether I'll even finish a race or whether I'll win a race or maybe fight for the championship. Anything can happen.

"We haven't tested with the other teams yet to know what level we are at," he continued. "But I think I'll have some good races and a good championship because Team Target is a good team with a lot of experience. I'm going to try my best."

So far, the Brazilian is happy that his Champ Car learning process is progressing as planned.

"I think every thing is going very well," said the Brazilian. "I like driving on ovals. I've already driven at Nazareth and Phoenix, and I enjoyed it. That was my big doubt, because I didn't know what to expect. It was fast, but it was fun.

"The hardest thing to learn will be the first race, when there are 28 or 29 cars on the track," he added. "There's a lot of horsepower, especially at the top end. But the cars are a little bit slow out of the corners because they are heavy and there is some turbo lag. But the top end is incredibly fast."

Team owner Chip Ganassi expressed confidence that Junqueira and fellow rookie Nicolas Minassian will be on the pace.

"You don't want someone who is good, you want someone who's great," said Ganassi. "I believe you have to look on a worldwide basis for talent if you want to win races."