The NTT IndyCar Series returned to action Friday afternoon, completing the first practice session of the 2026 season.
The streets of St. Petersburg hosted 25 drivers as they tested out their setups for the weekend.
Rain threated to make the session more interesting than any bargained for, but in the end the showers stayed a few miles up the coast.
After 90 minutes of frenetic action, it was last year’s polesitter Scott McLaughlin who topped the timesheets with a time of 1:10.1020.
McLaughlin has always enjoyed the streets of St. Petersburg, and showed that he has not lost any pace over the offseason.
Felix Rosenqvist was second quick, completing a lap just 0.064 seconds slower than the Kiwi ahead of him.
Third quick was Kyle Kirkwood, followed by Kyffin Simpson and Marcus Ericsson, who collectively gave Honda four of the top five spots.
All drivers had trouble putting power down through their car’s rear wheels, with oversteer the main problem at the exit of nearly every corner.
As more and more Firestone rubber was laid down the problem lessened, but still forced the drivers to apply the throttle gingerly under threat of a damaging crash.
David Malukas was out front early, but drifted down to ninth by when time expired. It was still a strong showing as he tries to make a name for himself in the historic #12 Team Penske entry.
Mick Schumacher held his own in his first official IndyCar session, lapping competitively in his #47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda.
The experienced German ended the day in the 23rd and final position, but he successfully kept it out of the wall and was only one second off the fastest time of the day.
Dangerous streets
Veteran Scott Dixon had a bad afternoon, slamming into the concrete barriers at the exit of Turn 9.
His Chip Ganassi Racing Honda broke loose just as he was crossing the apex, which sent him nose-first into the outside wall.
Dixon’s car was heavily damaged on the front and the side, and had to be lifted on a tow truck back to the paddock.
The Iceman was seen and released from the care center with no apparent injuries.
Another veteran Josef Newgarden also found trouble, spinning into the grass after hitting too much curb on the Turn 12 chicane.
His Team Penske Chevy stopped just at the barriers amid a cloud of dust, and the two-time champ was able to drive his car back to pit lane.
Louis Foster suffered a similar incident, but the nose of his RLL Honda became wedged underneath the tire barriers.
His left front suspension was damaged and the car had to be towed back.
Drivers will be back on track tomorrow at 9:35 AM eastern time for a second practice run, followed by knockout qualifying at 4:35 PM.
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