We’re right in the midst of a packed final third of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2026. This weekend sees the drivers take on yet another new challenge as they head through the streets of Washington, D.C. for the Freedom 250. They have spent plenty of time in the simulator getting used to the new track. However, Practice 1 was the first time they experienced it first-hand. Ultimately, Kyle Kirkwood topped the first session ahead of Álex Palou and Dennis Hauger.
After his crash in Markham, Louis Foster revealed he picked up some injuries to his right thumb and left foot. Consequently, he had wraps on to support the injuries, and was using Practice 1 to see how the injuries would impact him.
A Delay to Full Field Practice
Connectivity issues around the circuit delayed practice. Whilst the skies were clear, rain fell ahead of the session, leaving a damp track. However, the delay saw the track dry up, leaving teams divided over what tyres to run. Ultimately, they decided to remain on the wet tyres for their first outing. When the green flag came out, Arrow McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard became the first driver to complete a lap around Washington, D.C. The first ever lap of the track came in at a 1:15.972.
The installation laps gave drivers with a dilemma: the track was too dry for the wet tyres yet too wet for the dry tyres. Still on the rain tyres, Rinus VeeKay and Dennis Hauger then began to trade fastest laps. With each lap completed, the times were coming down and drivers were getting familiar with the track.
As the full field part of Practice 1 reached halfway, Will Power was at the top of the leaderboard with a 1:05.069. Two drivers, Alexander Rossi and Álex Palou, were yet to hit the track, waiting for it to dry more.
“Conditions are not easy right now. We’ve got a few corners that are completely dry and a few that are really wet. It’s good to be racing here. But generally, I think there’s some pretty good flowing sections.”
~ Romain Grosjean speaking about the track to Jack Harvey, FOX Sports.
Switching to Slicks
After being the first on track, Lundgaard became one of the first to use slick tyres. Switching to the harder, primary compound, the Arrow McLaren driver flew to the top of the times. His lap of 1:02.025 proved that the track was dry enough, being 2.7 seconds quicker than the field. However, he continued to find pace and lower the lap time.
With just over ten minutes remaining, Palou and Rossi finally joined the track. Also on the hards, Rossi was quick to find pace, heading to P2 in his early laps, however, he was four seconds adrift. Lundgaard hit a lap of one minute, and with other drivers joining him on slick tyres, his leading gap was reducing.
Scott Dixon and Nolan Siegel were testing the overtaking opportunities into Turn 1 as they both got past Caio Collet. However, there was a large bump on Independence Ave. This saw Louis Foster lock up going into Turn 6. Whilst a simple layout, it was proving to be unforgiving.
But the lap times continued to fall, getting under one minute as the session drew to a close. Lundgaard got into a damp spot, touching the wall and spinning into Turn 6 at the end of the session. Consequently, he broke a toe-link. Ultimately, Rossi jumped to the top as the flag came out with a lap of 0:58.606.
Kirkwood Flies in Group 1
Kyle Kirkwood and his Andretti Global teammates opted for an alternative strategy in the first group stage, heading out on the softer tyres. This saw Kirkwood take an early lead but he was away from the full field times. On the harder tyre, Scott McLaughlin was the first to get under one minute.
On a flying lap, Power found the tyre barrier as he hit the wall in Turn 5. He immediately returned to pit lane to assess the car. On the softer tyre, Kirkwood was flying, going faster than anyone else and setting a lap of 0:57.747. He followed that up by going even quicker. Also on the alternative tyre, Marcus Ericsson joined his teammate with a 57 second lap time.
Grosjean also had a brush with the wall, but Pato O’Ward managed to avoid contact as he saved his car coming onto the front straight. Ultimately, eight tenths separated the top five in the session but Kirkwood was on top with a 0:57.374.
Palou Leads Group 2
Fortunately, Lundgaard’s car was fixed in time and he was back on track after his mishap earlier on. He continued to show pace from the earlier session, and went fastest as the first laps came in. As the only driver on the softer compound, Kyffin Simpson briefly went to the top. However, both Malukas and Rossi bested him.
Group 2 showed that ECR had pace, with Christian Rasmussen heading up to P2. But Palou then showed why he’s the man to beat in INDYCAR right now, going P1 with a 0:57.976. Whilst his No. 7 car was fixed during Group 1, Lundgaard wasn’t showing the same form as he was.
As the session drew to a close, Rasmussen had a moment, sliding into Turn 5 and clipping the tyre barrier. He returned to the pits but with no damage found, he headed back to track quickly. Having changed to the soft tyre, rookie Dennis Hauger briefly popped up into P1 but Palou immediately took the spot back.
Mick Schumacher caused a brief yellow, locking up into Turn 6 and finding the escape route. Behind him, Siegel had the same. Both got going again though. As the session ended, a tenth separated the top three with Palou on top with a 0:57.612.
Kyle Kirkwood Tops Practice 1 for the Freedom 250
For a new track, Practice 1 for the Freedom 250 was relatively calm. With mixed forecasts predicted, drivers got experience on a drying track and prepared for all outcomes. Saturday sees a busy day in Washington, D.C., with Practice 2 and qualifying still to come. Ultimately, Kyle Kirkwood creates the lap record here and tops the debut session with a 0:57.374. But, times are close and they’re bound to get quicker through the weekend.