It’s time for the second IndyCar FP2 session of this weekend held at Thermal Club. Will reigning champion Alex Palou manage to end the session on top ahead of the later Qualifying session, or will it be someone else? Maybe Andretti’s Colton Herta, who had a rather positive first approach with the Palm Springs circuit, or one of his fellow teammates in P2 and P3 for the session?
All drivers will be on track for the 45 minutes long session, with everyone immediately coming out of the pits.
Early shenanigans
Prema were on track up until 4 am in order to fix Shwartzman’s car, but with the Israeli driver up to help as well, but the newcomer Italian team still has work to carry out on his car no. 83. It won’t be an easy round for the rookie driver at his second IndyCar start.
Herta leads the first set of attempts with a 1:43.616s, but St. Pete’s polesitter McLaughlin improves it. Five minutes in the session Lundgaard was the first driver to set a lap time in the 1:42s, ahead of Herta and Newgarden. Penske appears to have recovered quite a bit of pace after yesterday’s unimpressive FP1, during which fastest driver McLaughlin had achieved only P7.
Andretti reconfirms the different trend compared to 2024 as Kirkwood bolts on top with a 1:42.111s. Yesterday it was a 2-3-4 finish for the team formerly led by Michael Andretti, following the unfortunate St. Pete events which saw Herta miss out on a potential race win because of a pit issue.
RLL’s Foster jumps up to P2, slotting in ahead of Palou. It has been a positive weekend for the reigning INDYNXT champion as well, ending his previous official outing at the track in P8.
Ganassi’s Simpson after his strong FP1 is instead suffering from a shifting issue and stuck at pits.
With 30 minutes left on the clock this is the top 5: Kirkwood, Foster, Palou, Lundgaard, Ericsson.
Midfield’s time to shine
Rasmussen had a moment but managed to keep his ECR challenger on track. Ferrucci brings Aj Foyt in the top spot signing a 1:42.033s, which he then lowers to complete the first lap in the 1:41s.
Veekay keeps up with the good potential shown at St. Pete with Dale Coyne during the IndyCar FP2 at Thermal Club as well, improving the previous benchmark to 1:41.642s. Lundgaard shortly after completes a lap in the 1:40s. It’s a positive day for Arrow McLaren, as Siegel joins the top 5 as well, signing a slier on the softer tyre compound.
Newgarden had a huge slide, but he is able to keep his Penske car on track. Callum Ilott brings hope to the dark day Prema was having by hopping on the podium. The Brit had competed in the million-dollar challenge for McLaren, but hadn’t qualified for the main event.
Recently appointed AJ Foyt driver Malukas jumps to P7, right behind his American teammate, whereas Ericsson slots on the podium between Lundgaard and Herta.
Tyre degradation appears to be rather severe, and will definitely play a role in the later Qualifying. ECR’s Rasmussen is the latest driver to move up to the top ten.
McLaughlin suffers from an issue to the brake fan and has to pit, while Prema has completed the works on Shwartzman’s car.
This is the top ten with 15 minutes left on the clock: Lundgaard, Ericsson, O’Ward, Herta, Veekay, Ilott, Rasmussen, Ferrucci, Malukas, Siegel.
Lundgaard strongly ahead
Palou signs his best effort of the day, 0.500s off session leader Lundgaard, and moves up from P17. Immediately after he ran wide on the kerbs but managed to not run off track.
McLaughlin, who will be penalized with a fine for his brake fan previous situation, has joined the top 10, while his teammate Power slots in P6. The 2022 IndyCar champion is definitely looking for revenge at Thermal Club after ending his first GP of the year on Lap 1.
Armstrong, another driver who had expected more from his St. Pete round, signs a 1:41.357s for P4.
In the final moments of the session DeFrancesco moves up to the top 10 for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, taking P9 ahead of McLaughlin.
Newgarden ran wide on his final attempt, not moving up from P16.
McLaren on top at the end of the final practice of the weekend, with Lundgaard pleased for the recovery after yesterday’s issues and time penalty ahead of reigning champion Palou. It was a mixed session for Andretti as while Ericsson is on the podium and Herta in the top ten, Kirkwood is only 20th.
Unfortunately, Shwartzman didn’t manage to get in a single lap on his new chassis.
Tune in later for Qualifying!
FP2 Results:
1. Lundgaard
2. Palou
3. Ericsson
4. Armstrong
5. O’Ward
6. Power
7. Herta
8. Veekay
9. Defrancesco
10. McLaughlin
11. Ilott
12. Dixon
13. Foster
14. Rasmussen
15. Ferrucci
16. Newgarden
17. Rahal
18. Malukas
19. Siegel
20. Kirkwood
21. Rossi
22. Rosenqvist
23. Simpson
24. Daly
25. Robb
26. Abel
27. Shwartzman
