Penske Racing president Tim Cindric says Juan Montoya’s transition back into the IndyCar fold will take time.
Montoya completed another test at the Phoenix oval track this week after engaging his maiden test for Penske at Sebring recently.
The Colombian firebrand’s deal to return to American open-wheel racing was confirmed when he signed with the iconic Charlotte-based Penske Racing in September.
“Our plan is to take him to the four different types of tracks before then end of the year,” Cindric told Speedcafe.com
“He will test again at Sonoma next Monday.
“Montoya is certainly determined – he’s on a mission. He is realistic but it is going to take some time.
“He has been out of a IndyCar for a long time. The last time he drove an IndyCar was 13 years ago.
“But he was right on pace so it will be an interesting journey.”
It would appear that time heals all wounds as Montoya was driving for Chip Ganassi when he and Penske’s Gil de Ferran came together in a collision at the Gold Coast Indy in 2000, preventing de Ferran from clinching the Championship at the Australian race.
“In 2000 we thought we are going to win the Championship at the Gold Coast but de Ferran and Montoya got together on the first turn of the first lap and that was a long ride home (back to the States).
“But in 2001 we made up for it with de Ferran winning the Championship at the Gold Coast.”
