Kiwi Marcus Armstrong was third fastest in this morning’s opening IndyCar practice at Mid-Ohio, which was topped by teammate Alex Palou.
Palou’s best effort of 1:07.0650 was over four-tenths quicker than second-best Alexander Rossi, with Armstrong the best of the three-strong Kiwi contingent in third, a further 0.0349s adrift.
Scott McLaughlin was fifth overall with a 01:07.6827, 0.0481s behind fourth-placed Colton Herta.
Six-time IndyCar Champion Scott Dixon was 19th overall, over one second adrift of his pace-setting teammate.
The opening practice was the first of the Hybrid era in IndyCar. The current 2.2L twin-turbocharged V6 internal combustion engine is coupled with supercapacitor hybrid technology, which consists of a 48V generator unit and energy storage system.
Two red flags in the first 50 minutes of the 90-minute session reduced early track time before rain arrived in the final 30 minutes.
The first red flag came when Agustin Canapino’s Chevrolet caught fire, with heavy smoke and traces of flame coming from the right rear of the #78.
After a delay of nearly 15 minutes, Palou set the lap that would top the session.
The second red flag came when Armstrong spun as the rain arrived and needed help re-firing. Jack Harvey spun at Turn 2 at the same point and also needed assistance.
The rain intensified during the delay, and most of the field remained in pit lane until the chequered flag.
Armstrong, Pietro Fittipaldi and Felix Rosenqvist will receive six-place grid penalties for unapproved engine changes following the Thursday, June 27 team test at Iowa Speedway.
As per Rule 16.1.2.3.2, a fifth Engine is eligible to earn Engine Manufacturer points if a Full Season Entrant has completed the Full Season Entrant Engine Mileage with its first four Engines. Otherwise, a fifth (5th) or more Engine does not earn Engine Manufacturer points and will be considered an Unapproved Engine change-out.
IndyCar returns for Practice 2 on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course at 2.50 am NZST on Sunday, ahead of qualifying at 7.00 am.
Coverage of Monday’s race begins at 5.30 am on Sky Sport.
Header Image: Penske Entertainment: James Black
