P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Friday’s opening practice session on the streets of St. Petersburg featured two spins and a crash. The Meyer Shank Racing duo of Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong were fortunate to complete ful…
The opening practice session in St. Petersburg on Friday saw two spins and a crash, with Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong escaping without hitting anything, while Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske wasn’t as lucky, sustaining minor damage hitting the outside wall at Turn 3. The new hybrid configuration in IndyCar with added weight makes navigating Turn 3 more challenging, affecting the mechanical aspects of the cars, as explained by drivers Conor Daly and Rosenqvist. The weight shift has made the cars more difficult to handle, creating a new dynamic and challenge for the drivers. Armstrong expressed concerns about race day challenges at Turn 3 when exiting the pits with cold tires and full fuel load. Overall, the added weight and changes in car behavior have raised the stakes and excitement for drivers and fans alike in the new era of IndyCar racing.
