The second practise session of the weekend sees immediately all drivers out on track in order to get a bit more experience with the debuting hybrid engine cars ahead of Qualifying later in the 45 minutes long session.
After the first set of attempts Herta holds the provisional benchmark in 1:19.325s ahead of Rossi and Palou. The Andretti driver gets stuck behind much slower cars and is vocal about it on the radio.
However, that was still an outlap time, as the second set of timed laps sees Palou take the lead with a 1:07.199s, ahead of Herta, who runs off wide on the grass. Rossi, Rasmussen and Dixon slot in between the duo. In the wide array of track evolution, first time IndyCar driver Toby Sowery cycles at the lead, confirming the positive feelings left after yesterday’s P21.
Power leads briefly the session, but gets then stuck in traffic, resolving to overtaking multiple drivers in an attempt to gain the track space he needed.
An unsatisfied O’Ward is forced to pit from P5, getting more work done on his car no.5. A different Ganassi driver is the first to sign a lap in the 1:06, and it’s Linus Lundqvist, with Armstrong slotting in P2 ahead of Veekay.
Photo credits: Penske Entertainment | Paul Hurley
With 30 minutes to go the Kiwi teammate has taken P1 from Lundqvist with a 1:06.700s, as Newgarden is the best placed Chevrolet driver in P3.
The first red flag of the day is issued with 26 minutes to go, as Colton Herta hits the wall, suffering from oversteering at turn 2. The frozen provisional standings feature Ericsson leading from O’Ward and Armstrong.
Only five minuets after the restart however Kyffin Simpson’s Ganassi stopped on track, with the young Caymanian driver unable to restart his car due to a software glitch not yet resolved. The second red flag of the day was issued in order to ensure a safe and swift removal.
At the restart Christian Lundgaard, who has recently announced his move to McLaren for 2025 improved to P4. ECR’s Veekay is among the first drivers to opt for a lap on the reds, as Power has a moment but is able to keep his Penske car on track.
Palou briefly returns in the top spot, but his time is promptly improved by O’Ward, with the Mexican driver the first to sign a lap in the 1:05s. His young teammate Nolan Siegel is having an impressive afternoon as well, sitting in P5 ahead of Grosjean, whereas his future teammate Lundgaard bolts up to P2.
Rosenqvist spins off track at Turn 4, but is able to keep his car running and rejoin the grid without the need to interrupt the session. He did however, get rather close to DCR’s Harvey while moving.
In the final moments of the session Malukas and Rossi get on the provisional podium, with McLaughlin in P4 as Palou runs wide on the grass. Many lap times are being put in, as Rahal and Herta replace the two McLaren drivers.
The reigning champion has another moment at the same spot, which almost leaves his car beached at Turn 4. O’Ward is struggling as well, going straight off track at Turn 9.
O’Ward’s 1:05.986s is fast enough to grant him the lead of the session, ahead of Rahal and Herta. Malukas and Dixon complete the top five, with Rossi, Armstrong, McLaughlin, Lundgaard and Palou rounding off the top ten and Lundqvist the best placed rookie in P11.
