ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A tumultuous offseason for IndyCar has finally come to an end as 27 Indy cars hit the streets of St. Petersburg on Friday to make their first laps.
During Friday’s practice session, the first 20 minutes featured all cars on track, which was followed by four 10-minute sessions with cars split into groups — odds and evens depending on their pit box.
Although the setup may sound confusing, it’s designed to give drivers less congestion and more opportunities for clean laps on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street course on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Click to view the full practice results.
The Friday afternoon session was contested under sunny, hot and humid conditions. That was a welcome change from the doom and gloom that has hovered over IndyCar the past few months.
Delays in the Hybrid Assist Device, Honda’s threat to leave the series after 2025 and moving the season finale from the streets of Nashville to Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway because of construction issues with the Tennessee Titans new stadium have put IndyCar on the defensive.
Instead of celebrating its incredibly competitive racing, IndyCar officials have had to deflect criticism and defend its decisions.
By the end of the session, it was Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing who was on top of the timing screen with a fast lap of 1:00.3390 in the No. 60 SiriusXM/AutoNation Honda.
“We’re surprised, a very good run on the Firestone Blacks,” Rosenqvist said. “The car feels great. Early days, but better than being last.”
This is Rosenqvist’s first race with MSR and he finished ahead of his former teammate, Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren, whose Chevrolet was clocked in at 1:00.8112 in the No. 5.
Marcus Armstrong, last year’s IndyCar Rookie of the Year, was third in the No. 11 Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing at 1:00.8182. Will Power, a two-time winner at St. Petersburg (2010, 2014), was fourth in the No. 12 Verizon Chevrolet for Team Penske at 1:00.8409.
“I did a couple more laps because you only get one set of tires in these 10 minutes sessions,” Power said. “It’s hot man. But the car feels pretty good. We made some major improvements. I’m way more prepared. Last year, I came in and hadn’t done much because I was in the hospital helping to take care of my wife.
“It’s much better this year.”
Rinus VeeKay of Ed Carpenter Racing rounded out the top five at 1:00.8848 in the No. 21 Chevrolet.
Late in the session, Santino Ferrucci of A.J. Foyt Racing stuffed his Chevrolet into the tire barriers to bring out a red flag with 3:54 left in the final session.
Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske was sixth at 1:00.9106 in the No. 3 Chevrolet.
“We got an OK clean lap, and we have a really good car,” McLaughlin said. “Felix has a rocket ship and Rosenqvist is going to be tough this year. You have to go with the flow. IndyCar is trying something new with its practice and giving us a chance and that helps.”
Romain Grosjean, in his first showing with Juncos Hollinger Racing after he was dismissed from Andretti Global last season, was seventh at 1:00.9246 in the No. 77 Chevrolet.
“It was a good session, the car felt great, we made some changes with the alternates, and everyone has room to improve, including myself,” Grosjean said.
For now, the missteps of the offseason can be pushed aside and the discussion and focus can return to cars on the race track.