It’s time to set the grid for the IndyCar with Qualifying for the first race for the Month of May, the Sonsio GP in Indianapolis. After FP1 and FP2, Ganassi and RLL have emerged as the fastest teams on track, but the true question is whether Palou will manage to secure his fourth win of 2025 on Saturday afternoon.
Group 1
Group 1 will feature Foster, Robb, Rossi, Simpson, Ilott, Rasmussen, O’Ward, Rosenqvist, Abel, Armstrong, Kirkwood, Herta and Ferrucci.
The McLaren driver leads in 1:11.531s after the first set of attempts, but many drivers opt for a fresh tyres set much earlier than usual, with 7 minutes left on the clock.
Ilott was the first driver to sign a lap time in the 1:10s, but it was quickly improved by Rossi and Simpson, whereas O’Ward sets the first lap time in the 1:09s.
At the halfway point of the session O’Ward, Simpson, Foster, Rossi, Ilott and Robb would be through, with Herta on the outside looking in. Long Beach winner Kirkwood is instead surprisingly at the back of the field, last in provisional P13.
Rossi moves up to P2, but it’s short lasted as he is replaced by AJ Foyt’s Ferrucci. Rosenqvist slots into the top 6 as well in the final stages of the group, whereas Kirkwood’s best effort is only good for a place on the bubble.
Ferrucci runs with his wheels on the grass but is ultimately advancing to the Fast 12. O’Ward, Rossi, Rosenqvist, Ferrucci, Foster and Simpson is the complete Top 6. Neither Herta nor Kirkwood have managed to improve their benchmarks enough, and will being the Sonsio GP from much further than usual.
Group 2
Newgarden almost collided with the wall immediately at the pit lane exit. Veekay leadfs after the first set of attempts, bur the Penske drivers move right at the lead next.
Power and Newgarden exchange P1 a number of times, with the more experienced driver setting a 1:09.9510s and the Nashville native a 1:10.1455s. Ericsson, McLaughlin, Dixon and Palou would advance as well with 5 minutes left to improve and RLL’s Defrancesco on the outside looking in in P7.
Finally on track after some technical issues on his Prema challenger, Shwartzmann is at the back of the grid but not dead last, as Malukas holds the final P14 spot.
In the final stages of this IndyCar Qualifying segment for the Sonsio GP, Defrancesco and Palou both cycle in the lead, whereas second placed in the championship standings Lundgaard is still at the back in P13.
Ultimately, Palou, Defrancesco, Power, Rahal, McLaughlin and Newgard will join the Group A drivers, as Siegel, Dixon and Lundgaard take turns at the P7.
Round 2
RLL begins Round 2 on top, with Rahal and Foster holding P1 and P2 respectively, with the Newgarden slipping into the lead.
At the halfway point in the session Palou holds the fastest lap in 1:10.118s, and would advance to the Fast 6 alongside Power, Defrancesco, O’Ward, Newgarden and McLaughlin, with Foster on the outside looking in and Rahal last, struggling with the severe tyre drop after his first attempt.
Will Palou remain as consistent on his final attempt? Ultimately Rossi, O’Ward, Newgarden, Defrancesco and Forster all had their time to shine over the span of the last moments of the session, but it’s Palou’s 1:09.702s to take home the lead of Round 2. Rahal slots in P2, making for all three Rahal Letterman Lanigan cars to advance to the Fast 6. In fact, the experienced driver joins the Ganassi driver as well as Foster, Defrancesco, Newgarden and McLaughlin in the battle for Pole Position.
The fastest championship competitor for Palou remaining is Alabama GP podium finisher McLaughlin, fifth in the drivers’ standings. Only 0.0200s separate the Penske driver form his teammate Power in P7.
Fast Six
Finally, the Fast 6 is on. Will Palou take a second pole in a row at the track? Forster’s 1:10.939s is the earliest benchmark of the day, with the Ganassi driver runner up ahead of Rahal and Defrancesco, whereas McLaughlin waits to get on track. The missing Penske goes second with his first attempt on his fresh tyres.
RLL’s Foster and DeFrancesco both then move up to P1 and P2 becoming the first drovers to sign a lap in the 1:09s in the segment. Newgarden gets provisional P3 but dives into the pits. Will Foster’s 1:09.880s be enough for pole? Ultimately no, as teammate Rahal first and championship leader Palou then gets the pole. The Spanish driver signs a 1:09.341s to take the top spot in the IndyCar Qualifying for the Sonsio GP.
It’s his second pole position of 2025 following the Alabama GP one, and he will lead the field from Rahal and Foster. The remaining RLL will split McLaughlin and Newgarden’s Penskes.
Tune in tomorrow for the main event!
Full IndyCar Qualifying results for the Sonsio GP
