The recent testing session at the Andretti Global Circuit showcased promising performances from drivers ahead of the IndyCar season opener.
Marcus Ericsson, the new addition to Andretti Global this offseason, demonstrated his potential by clocking a rapid lap time of 51.9512 seconds (115.724 mph) on the shorter 1.67-mile layout.
Ericsson’s impressive run, executed late in the afternoon session, capped off a productive day where he completed a total of 83 laps.
Reflecting on his debut with the team, Ericsson emphasized the significance of such testing opportunities, particularly when adapting to a new environment.
He highlighted the learning curve associated with familiarizing oneself with the team dynamics and the intricacies of the car.
Despite the limited testing opportunities in the current landscape, Ericsson expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress and enthusiasm for the upcoming race in St. Pete.
Following closely behind Ericsson was Team Penske’s Will Power, who secured the second position with a best lap of 52.0076 seconds.
Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren claimed third place, having led the morning session and impressively completed 98 laps throughout the day, ultimately posting a time of 52.0104 seconds.
O’Ward, returning to his original team after substituting for the injured David Malukas, praised the seamless testing day and expressed readiness for the upcoming season opener in St. Pete.
Felix Rosenqvist showcased a strong performance amidst his transition to Meyer Shank Racing, securing the fourth position with a lap time of 52.0305 seconds.
Graham Rahal of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing concluded the day in fifth place, completing a session-high 99 laps and setting a personal best of 52.0598 seconds.
The rookies of Chip Ganassi Racing, Kyffin Simpson and Linus Lundqvist, claimed the sixth and seventh positions, respectively.
Santino Ferrucci propelled AJ Foyt Racing into the top 10, finishing eighth overall, followed by Romain Grosjean of Juncos Hollinger Racing in ninth and Marcus Armstrong of Ganassi in tenth.
Remarkably, the top 10 drivers were separated by a mere 0.325 seconds, highlighting the competitiveness of the field. Christian Rasmussen of Ed Carpenter Racing secured the 11th position, while Colin Braun, making his debut with Dale Coyne Racing, finished 12th after completing 67 laps.
All of the top five drivers in the testing session surpassed the fastest time set on the first day by Alex Palou.
With the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg marking the commencement of the 2024 IndyCar Series season on March 10th, the testing results have set the stage for an exciting and closely contested opener.