P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The NTT IndyCar Series started its special exhibition weekend on Friday morning, with a two hour test session around the
All full-time entries of the series are present at the facility, using the test runs to experiment with setups for upcoming races and prepare for the $1 Million Challenge on Sunday. The session started slowly, with drivers waiting for the track to warm up before venturing out. By the one-hour mark, nearly all drivers had sampled the course, though only a few set flying laps initially. Josef Newgarden finished 20th after his 13 laps, with Alex Palou setting the fastest time early in the session. Christian Lundgaard and Marcus Armstrong rounded out the top three, with Alexander Rossi and Pato O’Ward close behind. Linus Lundqvist was the fastest rookie in sixth place, highlighting the competitiveness of the field early in the season. The session proceeded without incidents, but drivers noted the high tire degradation which will be a crucial factor in the 20-lap race on Sunday. Overall pace is less important than setup experimentation, with the day’s times providing insights into the competitive landscape. The drivers will have more testing opportunities later in the day and on Saturday before qualifying for the weekend’s races.
