Felipe Drugovich made a lasting impression during his NTT IndyCar Series test debut with Chip Ganassi Racing on Monday at Barber Motorsports Park, clocking a best lap time of 1m07.631s in the No. 11 Honda. The 2022 FIA Formula 2 champion and current Aston Martin F1 test driver completed 129 laps on the physically demanding track, showing both pace and endurance that caught the attention of the Ganassi team.
In the same session, Andretti Global’s Jamie Chadwick, a three-time W Series champion and rising star in Indy NXT, also made her IndyCar test debut. She posted a best time of 1m08.687s in the No. 25 Honda after 87 laps, impressing Andretti’s engineering team with her technical feedback and professionalism, though she acknowledged the physical toll of driving the heavier IndyCar.
Drugovich Proves His Speed with Ganassi
Felipe Drugovich’s performance was nothing short of stellar, coming within a few tenths of reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou’s previous test time with the hybrid engine at the same track. The Brazilian’s 1m07.631s lap, set on his 110th lap of the day, underscored his adaptability and skill in a car vastly different from the Formula 1 and sports cars he has driven recently.
Chris Simmons, Ganassi’s performance director, praised Drugovich’s quick acclimatization and feedback, noting, “He did a great job for us. You never know what you’re going to get on an evaluation day, but his feedback was good, and he was up to speed pretty quickly.” While Ganassi has no openings for 2025, Drugovich’s test performance has certainly placed him on their radar for future opportunities.
Chadwick Impresses but Faces Physical Challenges
Jamie Chadwick’s test was equally significant, though it exposed the physical challenges she must overcome to compete regularly in IndyCar. The 25-year-old’s lap times improved throughout the day, with a final best of 1m08.687s, showing her potential in slower corners but struggling in the high-speed turns where upper body strength is critical.
Craig Hampson, Andretti’s chief IndyCar engineer, was impressed with Chadwick’s feedback and driving skill, noting her calm and professionalism. However, Hampson acknowledged that Chadwick, who is the smallest driver in both Indy NXT and IndyCar, needs to build more upper body strength to handle the physical demands of IndyCar racing. “She was never winded or tired, but she’s smaller in stature, and Barber is probably our highest physical steering effort track,” Hampson said. “She knows if she wants to do this as a career, more upper body strength is required.”
Despite the physical challenges, Chadwick’s technical abilities and poise left a strong impression. Hampson emphasized her extensive open-wheel experience, saying, “You can tell she’s been driving for a number of years in really good environments because she’s super calm on the radio and with debriefs.”
Support from Teammates and the Path Forward
Andretti driver Kyle Kirkwood, who attended the test to support Chadwick, echoed Hampson’s praise, sharing his own experience of the physical toll of Barber Motorsports Park. “Her feedback was phenomenal. Very professional, and the way she talks with the team is on the level or better than some top drivers. She did a great job. She should be proud of herself,” Kirkwood said.
As both Drugovich and Chadwick seek to break into the top level of IndyCar, their test debuts have undoubtedly showcased their potential. For Drugovich, it was a step closer to a potential future in IndyCar, while for Chadwick, the test highlighted her strengths as well as the areas she needs to work on physically to make the leap to the premier series. Both drivers are now firmly on the radar of top teams, and their performances at Barber signal exciting possibilities for their motorsport futures.
