Dario Franchitti has told how is hoping to stamp his authority on this weekend’s Belle Isle IndyCar event.
A series of mishaps saw his 65-point series lead overhauled by Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon after the Motorola Indy 300 race, held in California, leaving Franchitti trailing by four points.
In an interview with a Scottish newspaper, the Bathgate boy explained how he was determined to make his mark at the street circuit near Detroit.
A damaged car and a racing incident with his Andretti Green Racing team-mate, owner’s son Marco Andretti, combined to leave his title hopes severely dented.
Franchitti told The Scotsman that his previous performance simply wasn’t good enough: “This isn’t the position I thought I would be in with two races remaining,” said the Scot, who will again drive his Honda-powered Andretti Green Racing car at the Belle Isle street circuit.
“Still, we know where we are and what we have to achieve. We’ve had a car all season which has been fast enough to win races but for one reason or another it’s not happened as regularly as it should have.
“This weekend, though, we have to make everything count. We have to work together as a team and ensure we head to the final race a week later in Chicago in a winning position.”