After finishing fifth in NASCAR's preseason exhibition at the Los Angeles Coliseum on Saturday night, 2021 Cup champion Larson will resume his preparations for his first attempt at the Indianapolis 500 at the one-mile, low-banked Phoenix tri-oval.
The outing is regarded as a rookie evaluation for the team and not an IndyCar Series test. A representative with Arrow McLaren confirmed that every team member working with Larson at the test is the same group assigned for his Indy 500 programme, with the lone participant not in attendance being an unnamed race engineer that recently joined the organisation.
Tony Kanaan, the 2013 Indy 500 winner who now serves as the Sporting Director for Arrow McLaren, will be on hand to help Larson with coaching and feedback.
It is understood that should the threat of rain potentially impact the test on Tuesday, there are no plans to make it up with on-track running the following day. The only other on-track running planned for Larson at this time is the Indy 500 Open Test on 10-11 April.
The 31-year-old previously drove an IndyCar in October as part of the Rookie Orientation Programme at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where he completed all three phases in 72 laps with a fastest at 217.898 mph.
“I’ve got a couple of tests coming up here if the rainstorm doesn’t hit too hard,” said Larson, who will also be making his IndyCar debut.
“I’m supposed to test Tuesday in Phoenix, and I think there is an open test in April.
“I would say once April rolls around, I’d say that’s when it’ll get hot and heavy on prep work. I’m so used to being busy, so I don’t think it’s really going to feel way different for me.
Source: Autosport