In Part 1 of our interview with newly crowned 2016 Verizon IndyCar champ Simon Pagenaud, we discussed his dominant win at Sonoma Sunday, plans for the Indy 500 next year, what it's like driving for Team Penske and more. Here, the Frenchman addresses the idea of Josef Newgarden joining Team Penske next year and offers up which color his fellow
Jim Clash: The media ink says Josef Newgarden will be one of your teammates next year at Penske and perhaps Juan Pablo Montoya will be out. Thoughts?
Simon Pagenaud: Obviously, Josef deserves the best. He’s done an incredible job. But Montoya for me has been a source of learning, inspiration - and a great teammate to be with. He brought a breath of fresh air to the team. At Indy, I drove his set-up, and it was perfect. That’s why we’ve been so good at the Speedway. Obviously, I hope he stays on board. The chemistry of all four of us right now is perfect. But I’m not in charge of those decisions.
JC: If Josef does come onboard, though, would you welcome him as a teammate?
SP: Of course! He’s a great guy, pretty down to Earth. I don’t know how he is to work with, but he seems to be a tremendous driver. No matter what, he has the talent.
JC: What’s the first thing Roger Penske said to you when you came into the pits after the win at Sonoma?
SP: He said, “That was quite a race, a dominant performance.” Roger was very impressed with that, and the whole season. I don’t think he had any doubt we could do it all year long. Even before the race, he congratulated me on the championship [laughs].
JC: Is James Hinchcliffe going to win Dancing With The Stars?
SP: He could, he could. He has some really good moves. He didn’t have much time to prepare. From a guy who couldn’t dance a few weeks ago, he’s done an incredible job two shows in a row. If he wins it, that would be a good storyline.
JC: If you had to compare each Team Penske driver, including yourself, to a color, how would they play out?
SP: I think I would be a red because when I go fast, I see red. Also, when I remember things they are in red. I don’t know why. Helio [Castroneves] is just floating around, so maybe green. Will [Power], I would have to call teal because he’s like nobody else. And Montoya, hmmm, he should be a red, too. Maybe red and black. The black because he is able to be very strong-willed and quite selfish at times, which is a good thing for a racer. And red because he is a Taurus, like a bull.
JC: What color would Josef Newgarden be?
SP: I don’t know him enough yet - I’d have to think about that. Let’s call him yellow for now.
Interview Part 1: Breakfast With Simon Pagenaud, Newly Crowned 2016 Verizon IndyCar Champ
