The 28-year-old New Zealander, a three-time Supercars champion, spent his rookie year in the United States learning on the fly and admitted the ultra-competitiveness of IndyCar racing took some getting used to.

But he is more settled and better prepared this time around, targeting greater consistency as the key to realising his goals when the season begins at one of his favourite tracks, St Petersburg, on February 27.

"I still think there's certain races last year that I could've won, that's what IndyCar is like," Team Penske driver McLaughlin said.

"I feel very confident if I put myself in a position that I can race with anyone up the front, but it's a matter of getting there.

"That's the tough part initially, putting races together and weekends together to make sure I'm right there.

"That's what I've found really tough in this series but there's no doubt in my mind that I can consistently be right there.

"If anything comes my way, I'll take it for sure."

McLaughlin was named rookie of the year last season and finished 14th in the championship, with a best finish of second at Texas.

He will figure in a smaller Team Penske line-up this year alongside title contenders Josef Newgarden, the 2021 runner-up behind Alex Palou, and Australia's 2014 champion Will Power.

"If anything it boosts me and makes me excited. No one puts more pressure on themselves than myself," McLaughlin said.

"I had to get a little clip around the ears from (team owner) Roger (Penske) and (president) Tim (Cindric) just to calm it down a little bit and just realise that I'm on a long journey last year.

"That's certainly helped but I feel really good and I'm at the point now where ... I'm starting to feel the car better and we're working together really well.

"I think I'm up to speed, it's just a matter of putting it together."

McLaughlin is working with a new engineer, Ben Bretzman, and was buoyed by this week's testing at Sebring, where he posted the ninth-fastest time.

"I've basically got a new engineering stand with me and we showed some pretty good speed throughout the day," McLaughlin said.

"I felt like we built a really good baseline set-up so I'm excited to hit the track at St Petersburg with what we've learnt and see what we've got."

McLaughlin had been scheduled to return to Supercars racing at last December's Bathurst 1000 but pulled out because of quarantine restrictions in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He plans to figure at Mount Panorama this year with Dick Johnson Racing, providing no unforeseen Team Penske commitments arise.

Australian Associated Press