By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
The month of May at Indianapolis Motor Speedway is unofficially underway with an open oval test for the NTT IndyCar Series.
The test session was scheduled to run from 11 a.m. ET to 6 p.m. ET; however, the weather played a role in how the schedule played out. Shortly after the green flag flew at 11 a.m. for the veterans only portion of the test, the rain began to fall around the 2.5-mile facility.
After the track drying process was complete, cars returned onto the racing surface shortly after 3:15 p.m. with veteran practice until 5:30 p.m. with the rookie orientation and the veteran refreshers going until 7:30 p.m.
During the session, Max Chilton of Carlin Racing had an engine expire, while Fernando Alonso slowed on the race track with possible electrical issues.
“It was frustrating for everyone, I guess,” Alonso said about his day. “For us, obviously, yeah, we lost a little bit of time at the beginning. This was more or less expected because, as I said, it was a brand-new chassis, brand-new car. Everything fit in the last week. We expect to run slowly, step by step, short runs at the beginning. It’s what we did.
“So, yeah, if we could probably have the laps at midday, maybe you discover these issues, then you have hours to work in the car, be ready for the afternoon. The weather delays everything. You do the lap at 5:30 p.m., and there is no room to get back on track on time.”
Without the aid of tow, Takuma Sato posted the fastest lap in the veteran session with a speed of 222.942 mph. With the aid of tow, Sato posted the fastest speed of the test at 226.993 mph. Colton Herta was fastest in the rookie orientation and veteran refresher section with a speed in tow at 226.108 mph.
INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY OPEN TEST: Veterans session results I Rookie orientation/refresher results
“It was unfortunate today that our program was interrupted and stopped a few times by weather,” Sauto said about the day at IMS. “Having said that, today was meant to be a shakedown of the car, to just check all the functions and feel it out. From that point of view, I think it was a very smooth day. I think Indianapolis Motor Speedway did a great job in terms of the sealant.
“The sealant (applied last fall) was a little smoother, as well. Felt all-around the grip level was very consistent. I think we’re happy. In terms of the car, I mean, the condition is far from different from the end of May. I think it might be a lot hotter, of course. Today is a little bit artificial. We have more downforce because it’s cooler conditions, and engine pulls really well with getting cool air. I think it was a very fast day.
“From that, I think we brought the new package over the course of the winter, engineers really go through all the details. Of course, every single team does. I think the Rahal Letterman Lanigan team did an amazing job for the preparation of the car. The car performed out of the box, so I was very happy and enjoyed a few laps.”
The next time the IndyCar paddock hits the 2.5-mile facility in Indianapolis will be Friday, May 10, as teams prepare for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on the 2.439-mile road course at IMS.