Legendary Long Beach next stop for debutante Foster

Louis Foster will experience one of the biggest races in the NTT IndyCar schedule this weekend as he makes his debut at the Long Beach Grand Prix.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year the race is one of IndyCar’s best attended, and a second new circuit in a row for Rahal Letterman Lanigan driver Foster to get stuck into.

The 2024 Indy NXT by Firestone champion Foster delivered an impressive 16th in qualifying last time he visited a street circuit at St Petersburg - which was also the first race of his IndyCar career - and was then 10th at Thermal last time out in the #45 Mi-Jack RLL Honda.

“We’ve had a strong start in terms of qualifying which means the car and I have been quick straight away,” says Foster, who is backed by Copart, a global leader in online auto auctions.

“Obviously our aim is to be fighting even further forward, and the last race was good sign of that with qualifying 10th at Thermal.

“Unfortunately, the races haven’t gone our way just yet, but the team and I are working really hard and very well together to keep improving.

“Some of the results have been totally out of our control. So my focus is what we can control, and working hard to make sure the team and I get the best out of the weekend.”

Foster has been working hard in Indianapolis between races to prepare for the event, working with his team-mates and the team’s personnel to do as much preparation as possible for the event.

“I’ve lived in LA and have been watching IndyCar for a while so it’s going to be cool to visit one of the biggest races in the series," Foster added.

“I’m looking forward to meeting fans of IndyCar in California again and hoping we can deliver a good performance for them with the RLL team.”

The Long Beach track just south of Los Angeles and is 1.968 miles long with 11 corners. Turns 1, 6 and 9 are the most likely overtaking spots.

You can watch Louis race on Sunday in the UK on Sky Sports F1 and in the USA on FOX.

Long Beach street course schedule, all times Eastern:

Friday April 11

Practice 1 - 1800 (2300 UK) on FS1 in USA and Sky Sports F1 in UK

Saturday April 12

Practice 2 - 1130 (1600 UK) on FS1 in USA and Sky Sports Mix in UK

Qualifications - 1430 (1930 UK) on FS2 in USA and Sky Sports Mix in UK

Sunday April 13

Warm-up - 1200 (1700 UK) on FS1 in USA

Race - 1630 (2130 UK) on FOX in USA and Sky Sports F1 in UK