All the drivers immediately got on track in Mid-Ohio for the IndyCar FP1, after yet another incredible drive and race win for Palou at Road America, view the full report and results below.
Everyone will have 40 minutes to get acquainted to the road course, as well as all the livery changes for the first race weekend of July.
Early drama
The first yellow flag of the weekend is caused eight minutes into the session by Jacob Abel putting a wheel on the grass and spinning out. Ultimately the Dale Coyne Racing driver was not able to restart his car, turning into a red flag in order to retrieve the car.
Driving resumed with 30 minutes left on the clock. Malukas set the best early lap, which was quickly lowered to 1:08.120s by Josef Newgarden.
Three times race winner in 2025 Kirkwood sets the first time in the 1:07, whereas Siegel goes off track and into the sand at the exit of the final turn.
Ganassi’s Simpson is the latest driver to go on top in 1:07.595s. With twenty minutes to go, Papaya is on top as Lundgaard leads from O’Ward and Ericsson.
The second red flag of the day is issued with 19 minutes left on the clock as Malukas had a strong impact at Turn 9, which destroys his rear wing leaving his car beached. Five minutes later cars were able to return on track for Mid-Ohio IndyCar FP1.
As soon as the session resumed, Herta ran wide off track and into the grass as well, but managed to steer his car back on track and keep it going. The Andretti driver pits to remove grass from his front wing.
Later shenanigans
O’Ward is just the last of a long series of drivers braking off track and spinning his car. Just like Herta, he is able to keep it going. Ericsson bolts to P1 with a strong 1:06.833. Shortly after, Road America Polesitter Louis Foster slotting in P2 ahead of Penske’s Power.
A third red flag is caused by Herta spinning out and hitting the barriers at Turn 1. The Andretti driver strongly impacts, but is able to get to the pits. Power takes the lead of the full field session, leading from Ericsson and Foster, before the split groups sessions.
FP1 full field results at IndyCar Mid-Ohio
Group 1 Mid-Ohio IndyCar FP1
Palou, McLaughlin, O’Ward, Malukas, Siegel, Veekay, Rasmussen, Kirkwood, Ericsson, Foster, Abel, Armstron, Robb and both Prema drivers will lap in this first 12 minutes long split session.
O’Ward leads after the first set of attempts in 1:06.015s, from Ericsson and Foster. The British driver definitely is on a roll after his impressive performance in the last race. Kirkwood is the first driver to set a lap in the 1:05s, and it would be the fastest time of the day. On the other hand, Siegel recovers some good pace following his off track trip to join the top 5.
All drivers manage to complete their simulations without any major hiccups with the Andretti driver still comfortably in the lead.
Group B Mid-Ohio IndyCar FP1
Defrancesco goes on top after the first set of attempts. The Canadian confirms RLL’s strong series of performances as of lately, ahead of Power and Dixon. Former RLL talent Lundgaard signs the first lap of the group in the 1:08s.
Rosenqvist and his Ozzy Osbourne MSR car stop off track after a front left lockup and a trip into the grass, causing the fourth red flag of the combined session. Group B resumed with 5 minutes left of track time and Lundgaard lowering the benchmark to 1:06.375s.
However, it’s short lasted as seconds after Herta shaves 0.06s off the McLaren driver’s time. Power has a moment at the recently repaved turn 4 where Herta has previously struggled as well. He did incredibly well to avoid spinning as the Aussie briefly found the grass.
In the final heated moments of the session Newgarden goes fastest from Simpson and Herta. Overall, Andretti emerges a strong contender of the upcoming road course race, with Palou a bit further down the standings so far. However, the championship leader can never be ruled out, so stay tuned to see what will happen!
IndyCar Mid-Ohio FP1 overall results
