Aggressive and emotive, Simon Pagenaud has been heating up the Indycar competition this year. After his tense battle with Graham Rahal at Barber Motorsports Park last month, Pagenaud is beginning to look like a title contender in 2016. Of course, there’s plenty of competition in Indycar, but the Frenchman’s incredible speed and hard-charging nature has set him among the upper ranks within the prestigious category. This qualifying lap from last weekend’s Indy GP exudes the traits he’s now known for: bravery, precision, and a willingness to put it on the line every corner of every lap.

Yet being the professional he is, he never seems to drive over his head. It’s just that the man’s consummate skill allows him to flirt with the limit in a 750-horsepower Indycar that makes it seem as if he’s chucking a kart around — it looks dramatic and, at times, overzealous, but he always keeps it on the black stuff — if just barely.

Pagenaud had speed all weekend, securing both pole and the win in his neon Penske.

His entry speed is startling, but not just because he’s quick into the corner — he’s also very precise — most noticeably when he’s climbing the curbs through turns 5 and 6. Though the car rides nicely, his charge isn’t deterred by the curbs popping his steed into the air. An assertive pitch between the corners keep the car driving straight over the bouncy bits, which minimizes wheelspin. However, he’s not afraid to hang the tail out in some of the quicker portions, with a deft, speedy catch just keeps him from dipping his slicks off into the grass.

However, it’s his precision amidst the wheelspin that makes him so impressive. Particularly at the exit of turn 10, where an inch or two wider would have had him spinning, most likely. His approach is measured, though only just, with immense determination and bravado shining through. With driving that threads the needle this well, he might just go on to win the championship this year. Seeing as he’s currently the points leader, it’s not too wild a prediction.