Felipe Nasr, fresh off his championship-winning season in the Porsche Penske Motorsport IMSA GTP series, made a jaw-dropping return to the NTT IndyCar Series testing at The Thermal Club. The Brazilian driver, piloting Team Penske’s No. 3 Chevrolet, lit up the track with an unofficial lap of 1m40.947s, claiming the top spot in a dramatic finale as the sun dipped behind the Coachella Valley hills.
But Nasr’s performance wasn’t just about speed—it was about redefining the role of a test driver. With his extensive hybrid racing background, Nasr brought unparalleled expertise to the hybrid energy recovery systems (ERS), a critical technology set to revolutionize IndyCar in the coming seasons.
Nasr’s Late Surge: A Perfect End to a Productive Day
Nasr spent much of the day near the top of the timing charts, but it was his final run that cemented his place as the session’s fastest. In relatively cool conditions, the 31-year-old Brazilian clocked his best time, showcasing a blend of raw speed and technical precision.
Yet, for Nasr, the standout lap was just a cherry on top. His focus was on helping Team Penske refine their hybrid package, drawing on his wealth of experience from driving hybrid-powered Formula 1 cars with Sauber and dominating the IMSA scene in the Porsche 963 GTP.
“The goal was to bring all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained with hybrid cars,” Nasr said. “Helping Penske, the engine manufacturer, and the team to get a good feel on everything was the priority. Ending the day P1 is great, but the most important thing was gathering valuable data for development.”
Close Contenders: McElrea and Sargeant Shine
Ed Carpenter Racing’s Hunter McElrea also impressed in the No. 21 Chevy, finishing second with a time of 1m41.071s, narrowly behind Nasr. Meanwhile, Logan Sargeant, making his much-anticipated IndyCar testing debut, turned heads with a series of strong performances throughout the day. The former Williams F1 driver clocked a best time of 1m41.139s in the No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Chevy, securing third place.
Sargeant, who completed an incredible 84 laps, the most of any driver, showed he’s more than ready to make the leap to IndyCar. His consistency and adaptability across the day underscored his potential to thrive in this competitive series.
Challenges and Setbacks: Fittipaldi and Sowery Battle Issues
Not everyone had a smooth day, however. Enzo Fittipaldi, driving the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevy, managed a solid fifth-place finish with a 1m41.833s lap despite being unable to complete a new tire run due to technical issues. Similarly, Dale Coyne Racing’s Toby Sowery faced a frustrating day, plagued by morning gremlins and a terminal engine problem in the afternoon. Limited to just 27 laps, Sowery’s best time of 1m42.021s was far from representative of his potential.
The Nasr-Penske Hybrid Synergy
One of the day’s most compelling storylines was Nasr’s reunion with Josef Newgarden’s race engineer, Luke Mason, whom he worked with during his Carlin Racing days. Their collaboration proved vital as Penske gathered crucial data on the hybrid ERS units, which will enter their second season of use in 2025.
“Working with Luke was fantastic,” Nasr said. “He’s super professional, and it was great to see how our feedback aligned to push this hybrid package forward.”
Why This Test Matters
Nasr’s test wasn’t just another day at the track—it was a pivotal moment in IndyCar’s hybrid evolution. With his unmatched hybrid expertise, the Brazilian proved he’s not only a champion on the track but also a key asset in shaping the sport’s future. His performance, combined with Penske’s relentless pursuit of innovation, has set a high bar for what’s to come in 2025.
As the hybrid era of IndyCar inches closer, Felipe Nasr and Team Penske are showing they’re not just ready—they’re leading the charge.
