During Friday’s initial practice session on the St. Petersburg streets, drama unfolded as two spins and one crash set the scene. The Meyer Shank Racing pair, Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong, skillfully executed full rotations without colliding into any barriers. However, Scott McLaughlin of Team Penske did not share the same fortune.
McLaughlin’s mishap resulted in minor contact with the outer wall at Turn 3, resulting in damaged left-front suspension and bodywork. This incident highlighted the challenges posed by the hybrid configuration adopted by the IndyCar for the first time at St. Pete. This new setup places the weight of the energy recovery system, exceeding 100 pounds, behind the turbocharged engines, making the navigation of Turn 3 more precarious than before.
Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing weighed in on the situation. He attributed the mishaps to the mechanical weight shift, which posed challenges to not just the car but also the chassis and the suspension. In Daly’s views, this new era of IndyCar, with the increased weight, is causing a mechanical challenge to the cars, placing everyone on a new playing field. This exciting development presents a thrilling spectacle for fans and participants alike.
Echoing Daly’s sentiments, Rosenqvist added his own insights after his spin. He noted that the first practice is always a bit edgy due to the green track, and drivers, including himself, tend to go flat without much thought. However, he emphasized the importance of being alert in a different way, since the added weight has made the race more challenging, almost as if an extra corner has been added to the track.
Armstrong expressed concerns about the race day, particularly when drivers rush out of the pits filled with fuel on cold tires, rushing directly into Turns 2 and 3 at high speed. He highlighted the need to be appropriately high on ride height to avoid any mishaps at Turn 3. Armstrong anticipates that the warmup and the race could present some sketchy moments, especially when the cars are filled with fuel and new tires are on.
All in all, this new hybrid configuration presents a fresh challenge to the drivers. As Armstrong rightly puts it, they will have to “be ready for some shit to happen here.” The race course, with its added weight and complexity, has become more of a knife-edge affair, promising an engaging spectacle for all involved.