IndyCar’s Morning Practice at Barber: A Day of Surprises and Challenges
On Saturday morning, the IndyCar series faced a thrilling practice session at Barber Motorsports Park, where the unpredictable weather played a significant role in shaping the results. Despite forecasts predicting a wet day, the drivers had to navigate a track that evolved rapidly, leading to unexpected performances and challenges.
The 45-minute practice session began under mixed conditions, with a damp but not fully wet track. This unique opportunity allowed teams to gather valuable data using Firestone’s primary tires, a rarity during unpredictable weather scenarios. However, as the session progressed, rain returned in the final minutes, complicating the efforts of those attempting to conduct qualifying simulations.
David Malukas from AJ Foyt Racing emerged as the standout performer, clocking a fastest lap of 1:08.1661, which placed him at the top of the leaderboard. His impressive time came before a red flag was waved due to an incident involving Pato O’Ward. The Mexican driver, racing for McLaren, lost control of his car while approaching the last corner, sliding onto the wet grass, bouncing off the gravel, and colliding lightly with the tire wall. The crash resulted in damage to the front wing and steering of car #5. O’Ward commented on the incident, stating, “Once I hit the grass, I became a passenger. Maybe I picked up some paint on the track, or I just lost it. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but the steering felt off. Better safe than sorry.”
Alex Palou, who leads the championship standings and secured the pole position the previous day, finished the practice session in second place with a time of 1:08.1958. Following closely was Christian Lundgaard from McLaren, who clocked in at 1:08.3082.
Another notable incident involved Marcus Ericsson from Andretti. With just ten minutes remaining and rain beginning to fall again, Ericsson lost control at the fast section of Turn 11. His car went off the track, lifted onto two wheels, and made light contact with the barriers. Fortunately, Ericsson was unharmed in the incident.
The session resumed under light rain, and several drivers struggled with grip, leading to a few off-track excursions. However, there were no major incidents. Josef Newgarden had a quiet practice, completing only eight laps before returning to the pits due to a motor issue.
An exciting moment in the session came from rookie Louis Foster of Rahal, who initially topped the time sheet with a lap of 1:08.5567. His strong start showcased his potential, although he eventually slipped out of the top five as conditions improved for other drivers.
As the practice unfolded in the mixed conditions of a wet track, Malukas capitalized on the optimal window to set his fastest lap, demonstrating the importance of timing and adaptability in Barber. The unpredictable weather conditions kept the teams on their toes, proving that in IndyCar racing, even the favorites must remain vigilant and adaptable.
The next session on the agenda is the qualifying rounds, scheduled to begin at 3:35 PM (Brasilia time), which will be broadcasted on Disney+.
Official Results of Practice Session 2 – IndyCar Alabama GP
- David Malukas (D/C/F) – 1:08.1661 – 195.40 km/h
- Alex Palou (D/H/F) – 1:08.1958 – 195.32 km/h (+0.0297)
- Christian Lundgaard (D/C/F) – 1:08.3082 – 195.00 km/h (+0.1421)
- Will Power (D/C/F) – 1:08.5496 – 194.32 km/h (+0.3835)
- Louis Foster (R/D/H/F) – 1:08.5567 – 194.30 km/h (+0.3906)
- Scott McLaughlin (D/C/F) – 1:08.5815 – 194.24 km/h (+0.4154)
- Robert Shwartzman (R/D/C/F) – 1:08.6711 – 194.01 km/h (+0.5050)
- Santino Ferrucci (D/C/F) – 1:08.6713 – 194.01 km/h (+0.5052)
- Kyle Kirkwood (D/H/F) – 1:08.6745 – 194.00 km/h (+0.5084)
- Conor Daly (D/C/F) – 1:08.7197 – 193.88 km/h (+0.5536)
This practice session not only set the stage for the upcoming qualifying but also highlighted the unpredictable nature of racing at Barber Motorsports Park. With varying weather conditions affecting track performance, teams must remain flexible and prepared to adjust strategies on the fly. As the IndyCar series continues to unfold, fans can expect more thrilling moments and surprises in the races ahead. The Barber Motorsports Park, known for its picturesque layout and challenging turns, promises to deliver an exciting race weekend for drivers and spectators alike.
