The 2025 NTT IndyCar Series is officially heating up, and Pato O’Ward wasted no time making a statement. The Arrow McLaren driver topped the timesheets on the opening day of pre-season testing at Sebring International Raceway, laying down an impressive 52.3470-second lap on the 1.67-mile short course. With teams fine-tuning their setups ahead of the season opener, O’Ward’s early speed signals that McLaren is coming in strong for the new campaign.
But with Marcus Armstrong, Alex Palou, and even an unexpected showing from Conor Daly, the test results suggest this year’s title fight could be tighter than ever.
O’Ward Wastes No Time—McLaren Looks Fast Out of the Gate
After months away from the cockpit, O’Ward couldn’t hide his excitement about getting back to work.
“Oh, man, it’s the best feeling in the world; it’s the best job in the world,” he said, beaming after his session. “I was so excited to come back to Sebring and get into an IndyCar, getting to work with the engineers again. It definitely feels like home, and it’s a second family to me.”
His morning session time narrowly edged out Marcus Armstrong of Meyer Shank Racing, who clocked in at 52.3675 seconds in the afternoon session. The battle between McLaren and Meyer Shank could be one to watch as the season progresses, with Armstrong wasting no time asserting himself in his new team.
IndyCar Champions Palou & Dixon Face Mixed Fortunes
Defending two-time champion Alex Palou slotted in third, clocking a 52.4948-second lap in his No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Honda. While not the fastest on the day, Palou’s methodical approach and late-season dominance in 2024 suggest he’s keeping plenty in reserve for the season opener.
Conor Daly, returning with Juncos Hollinger Racing, stunned many by finishing fourth overall with a 52.5931-second lap. Daly’s strong performance could be an early sign that Juncos has made serious strides in the offseason, and his name may appear in unexpected places in 2025.
Meanwhile, Arrow McLaren’s new recruit Christian Lundgaard rounded out the top five in his No. 7 Chevrolet with a 52.6626-second lap. The former Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing driver looked comfortable in McLaren equipment, making an immediate impression on his new team.
But not everyone had a smooth test session. Scott Dixon, the six-time champion, completed just two laps before mechanical issues sidelined his No. 9 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. The issue forced his crew into problem-solving mode rather than gathering valuable data, though knowing Dixon’s history, he’ll bounce back fast.
McLaren’s Nolan Siegel Suffers Scare, But Walks Away Unharmed
The only major incident of the day came from Arrow McLaren’s Nolan Siegel, who suffered a crash at Turn 7, making contact with the barrier and sustaining moderate right-side and rear damage to his No. 6 Chevrolet. Fortunately, Siegel walked away unscathed, but the mishap ended his test day prematurely.
What’s Next? The Road to St. Petersburg Begins
With O’Ward setting the benchmark, teams now turn their attention to analyzing the data gathered from the Sebring test. The insights gained here will play a pivotal role in shaping strategy ahead of the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 2.
With McLaren showing serious early pace, Meyer Shank’s Armstrong proving his worth, and Palou lurking as always, the 2025 IndyCar season is shaping up to be another edge-of-your-seat battle for supremacy.
Buckle up. IndyCar is back.
