The IndyCar weekend got underway with the first practice session of the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. With Álex Palou coming off from back-to-back wins in the opening rounds, he’ll be looking to further cement his title lead.
The session was split into 45 with the entire grid and then two ten minute session with the grid spilt in half. Giving teams the opportunity to test out the set up on a quieter track.
The session start
The session was green flagged and teams wasted no time getting out on track. Louis Foster quickly put himself as the time to beat with a 1:09.290. Impressive speed from the rookie who has struggled in the tumultuous opening rounds.
However, Will Power didn’t let the moment last long crossing the line with a 1:09.183. Which was then pushed into second as Sting Ray Robb broke into the 1:08s. But times were dropping as more drivers made their way around the track.
Scott Mclaughlin sought the lead with a 1:08.027. However, he was sorely denied as his teammate, Will Power, crossed the line with a 1:08.010.
McLaren lost out on a potential 1-2 in Long Beach when they fell into the clutches of the ever-inevitable Álex Palou, and Pato O’ward found himself in fourth in the early part of the session. Palou’s strength continued taking the top spot as he crossed the line with a 1:09.955.
O’ward seemed to brush the wall on one of his laps, his car twitching as it made its way back to the pits.
Colton Herta suffered a huge lockup but luckily managed to avoid any of the barriers. Callum Illot had a similar problem in, once again avoiding an issue.
Palou held onto his lead, bringing his time down to 1:07.636 while he was trailed by Newgarden and Rosenqvist. But Palou held clear by two-tenths. If Palou can steal a third consecutive win around Long Beach, it’ll be the first time since Scott Dixon that anyone has managed.
Final five minutes
With just five minutes left in the grid session, Palou maintained his lead from Newgarden as McLaughlin.
Teams were using the final ten-minute sessions to test the softer green tyres that drivers will use for qualifying. As each drivers crossed the line with their final fast lap, Álex Palou managed to hold his lead. Followed by Lungaard and Newdargen.
O’ward failed to leave the garage after his brush with the wall, completing just five laps in the opening stages of the session.
Final part of the session
David Malukas was the first driver to put in a fast lap but firmly in the 1:08s, which was quickly beaten by Marcus Ericsson putting in a 1:07.350. As the times continued to come down, Kirkwood slipped into second with Armstrong third. But as always, Álex Palou was not far behind.
Scott Dixon opted for the harder compoud tyre, putting in a 1:09.244. Testing how much a used set of tyres will give me. However, after a lap on the worn tyres he dove into the pits to change.
Newgarden showed the Penske speed with a 1:07.519. Almost six-tenths behind him was Connor Daly with a 1:08.111. Robert Schwartzman was off to a strong start for the weekend, moving past the difficulties he faced in Thermal and going third fastest in the session.
With a brief red flag, the session ended with Power leading the session group from Rosenqvist and Newgarden. With Will Power taking the overall fastest time of the day.
