During Friday’s two-hour Carb Day practice, 2016 Indy 500 winner Rossi was one of the drivers to experiment with the underwing strakes that IndyCar has opened up for use along with bargeboards and an increased range of rear wing angles.
Drivers have continued to complain about the ability to overtake, especially when mired in a pack of cars, but Rossi is sure it’s a step forward from a competition standpoint.
“It’s hard to pass, so IndyCar has given us more downforce options, which certainly hasn’t solved the main problem of being able to follow when you’re three, four, five cars deep,” said Rossi.
“But it’s supposed to be hard! The harder it is, it separates the good cars from the not-so-good cars.
“I think what you’re going to see this year, which is great, is that because there are more downforce options, people aren’t going to be running the same things.
“In years past, everyone ran the same option. I think you’ll see some comers and goers in the race, which I think will be very exciting.”
The former Andretti Autosport driver will be making his first Indy 500 start without Honda power when he lines up in his Chevrolet-powered McLaren on the inside of row three.
Preview: What to watch out for in the 2023 Indy 500
Rossi thinks that his inside knowledge of the rival engine – along with the arrival of veteran team-mate Tony Kanaan for his final IndyCar start – has been beneficial in Chevrolet’s favour.
“Oh yeah, there’s certainly a difference,” when asked by Autosport what he’s felt from the switch to Chevy power.
Source: Autosport