P1racenews AI automatic summary:
IndyCar restarts changed for 2024, split practice trialed in St. Pete
The 2024 season will kick off with a 75-minute session at 2:45 p.m. ET on Friday, March 8 at the 1.8-mile street circuit with 14 turns. The field will be split into two groups after the initial 20 minutes to alleviate traffic congestion issues expressed by drivers in previous seasons. During the first practice, teams will work on their ideal setups using Firestone’s softer alternates. The new rules, including the split sessions and restart procedures, are unique features introduced by IndyCar for the St. Petersburg race weekend. The knockout-round qualifying will be at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by the 100-lap race at 12:30 p.m. ET on Sunday. Overall, the 2024 season in the IndyCar series is shaping up to be an exciting and innovative one.
