Alex Palou Leads Day One of IndyCar Testing at Sebring
Less than two weeks before the highly anticipated 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season, two-time series champion Alex Palou showed his strength by leading the first day of short-track testing at Sebring International Raceway.
The Chip Ganassi Racing Honda rider picked up where he left off in 2023 and set the best time of the day with a lap time of 52.0883 seconds. The test was split into morning and afternoon sessions, with Palou achieving his best performance in the afternoon on the challenging and hilly Sebring track.
“We don’t do as many tests as we would like these days,” Palou said. “We always like to have multiple exam dates, but honestly, being only a week and a half away from St. Louis is a great experience.
He reviewed the extensive technical roster available during the offseason and emphasized the importance of taking the time during these tests to assemble the team and fine-tune key details before the start of the season.
Testing is scheduled to continue Tuesday at Florida’s historic circuit, with all teams expected to continue using cars without the hybrid system that will be installed later this season. The start of the 2024 season is scheduled for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Louis. Petersburg on Sunday, March 10th.
Fifteen drivers completed laps on Monday, with the five fastest laps all completed in the afternoon. Right behind Palou was Christian Lundgaard of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in first place with a good lap of 52.1065. 45 Hy-V Honda.
The two master drivers Christian Lundgaard from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Josef Newgarden from Team Penske took second and third place. Andretti Autosport’s Colton Herta and Arrow McLaren’s Alexander Rossi completed the top five, indicating intense competition between the teams.
The morning session was led by Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood, who beat his time in the afternoon. Kirkwood emphasized the importance of these tests as important preparation for the car’s first contact with the track since Laguna last September.
The competitiveness of the day’s top 11 drivers was so clear that the difference was only 0.5008 seconds. The proximity to the classification reflects the competitive strength and balance of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES.
While Palou shines above, the 2024 season promises to be full of excitement, with a mix of new talent and veterans looking for success. INDYCAR fans can’t wait to see these drivers in action when the lights go out in St. Louis.
