INDYCAR was back on the bumpy streets of Detroit for Practice 1. The Detroit Grand Prix marks the third race and the third different surface in the month of May. After practice 1, it was Álex Palou who finished at the top of the time sheets.
Full Field
It was a sunny day on the streets of Detroit when cars took to the track for the first time of the weekend. With street courses, you never know what to expect. But for the full field practice, drivers managed to keep it relatively clean compared to last year.
Marcus Ericsson‘s No. 28 leaked fluid on the circuit, which delayed full field practice. Once the crew squared that away, Christian Lundgaard got us underway, setting the fastest time. Times quickly dropped, which saw a mix of drivers at the top. With 10 minutes to go, it was Will Power with the fastest time of 1.02.943. Power would stay in first until the end of the session. He was followed by Pato O’Ward and Kyle Kirkwood.
Group 1
After a small break, Group 1 cars took the track. Early in the session, it was O’Ward at the top of the timing sheets with a 1:04.265. He would stay there until the 9-minute mark, when his time was beaten by McLaughlin and then by Kirkwood, with the latter having a time of 1:02.791.
At the end of practice in Detroit, Rinus Veekay would find time to put him ahead of Scott McLaughlin. Power would finish sixth to put three Andretti’s in the top six, a much-needed redemption after last weekend.
In this session, the streets began to be a battle, especially with the red sticker tires, as multiple drivers had moments, near misses with the wall, and used the run-off area throughout the session.
Group 2
It was Group 2’s turn to take the track, and early on, it was Lundgaard who found the top. The times continued to drop, which found Ed Carpenter Racing teammates 1-2. The time was quickly overthrown by David Malukas and Lundgaard again.
There was a brief red flag, but before that, it was Marcus Armstrong briefly at the top, but he was bumped down by Palou, with a time of 1:02.772, who found the top. It would stay that way until the checkered flag.
Cars will be back on track for Practice 2 tomorrow at 9:00 ET/14:00 CEST. It will be followed by qualifying at 1:00 PM ET/18:00 CEST.