Alex Palou, the reigning champion in IndyCar, led a test session at Sebring with 15 cars participating, where the entire field was separated by less than a second.
Palou showcased a fresh livery on his Ganassi machine ahead of the upcoming season opener in St. Petersburg next week. Setting the pace with a fastest lap time of 52.0883 seconds around the Florida road circuit, he emphasized the significance of test days given the proximity to the start of the season.
“We don’t have as many test days as we’d prefer nowadays,” remarked Palou, who completed 70 laps. “With St. Pete just a week and a half away, it’s crucial to address our engineering checklist. Though time is limited, these sessions help shake off any rust for drivers, crew, and the entire team while providing insights for the upcoming race.”
Christian Lundgaard of RLL was second quickest, narrowly trailing Palou by less than two-hundredths of a second, while Josef Newgarden, Palou’s rival from the 2023 season, claimed the third spot for Penske, also within a tenth of a second from the leader.
The introduction of a lighter IndyCar chassis for the early races of the season, as part of a weight reduction program for the Dallara DW12, hints at minor adjustments in lap times, according to Newgarden.
“While the cars won’t undergo drastic changes, the slight weight reduction may marginally impact lap times,” said Newgarden. “We’re gearing up for a season of two halves, starting with the current setup and transitioning to the hybrid system later on. Adapting to these changes will be crucial for everyone involved.”
He added, “Success in motorsports hinges on navigating through obstacles, and this year’s challenge lies in seamlessly transitioning to the hybrid system while maintaining a competitive edge throughout the season.”