Pagenaud buoyed by Mid-Ohio test

Speaking to autosport.com on the third day of Champ Car's European media tour, the Frenchman declared the results of his 132 laps round the sportscar course to be "very good, very important."

"I think the results will be very helpful for places like Portland, Zolder and Assen," said the Frenchman.

"Mid-Ohio track has been resurfaced, so it's not bumpy - so it won't mean so much for courses like Cleveland - but it was very slippery, very green, like a road course at the start of a weekend when no cars have been running.

"It was also an opportunity to get more confidence in the car. I needed to be able to adjust it more to my driving style, and I really think we did that. Also, we all just learned better how the DP01 works.

"Different ways of combating oversteer, or understeer, how to make quick alterations for when we need to on race weekends during the sessions. It was ideal."

The Frenchman's quickest lap comfortably eclipsed the pole position record around Mid-Ohio set by Paul Tracy in 2003.

"It is a fantastic track, but now I can't wait to go to the test in Mont Tremblant next week and see where we are compared to the competition," he added.

Pagenaud admitted he felt frustrated by his results in his first three Champ Car races this year, because while Team Australia teammate Will Power has taken a win and a third place this year, Pagenaud's best finish has been a fifth.

"I don't think the outcomes reflect that we have been very competitive," he remarked, "but I believe one day the wind will turn. I know the team is pleased with me, they think I'm doing a good job.

"And I also get satisfaction from Will's performances because it's good for the team and because I know I'm helping him like he's been helping me. And then very soon my time should come."

Reflecting on the fact that the man he beat to the Atlantic championship, Graham Rahal, scored a second place finish at the previous round, Pagenaud admits: "I thought it would annoy me, but the more I thought about it, the more I take it as a compliment.

"Graham and I were on the same pace last year, so if he does well, it actually looks good for me. It is also a good compliment to the Atlantic championship.

"Hopefully it will show the team owners in Champ Car that they need to look first at Atlantics when they are looking for young up and coming drivers."