Chris Owens/IMS Photo
O'Ward tops opening morning of IndyCar Sebring test
Pato O’Ward was fastest among the 14 IndyCar Series drivers who took part in the Monday morning test session at Sebring International Raceway. With the 27-car field split into morning and afternoon run groups during the two-day test, the 14 drivers were meant to roll out at 9am and had engines fired to go, but a persistent power issue with IndyCar’s medical trailer meant the field sat idle until the problem was rectified.
Starting at 9:35am, the four-hour session saw O’Ward post a 52.347s lap around Sebring’s short course, and the Arrow McLaren driver had reigning champion Alex Palou, who tried the new and larger Cosworth steering wheel, behind him in second (52.495s). O’Ward’s teammate Christian Lundgaard was third (52.663s), and Juncos Hollinger Racing’s Sting Ray Robb was fourth (52.776s) under warm blue skies.
“We’re back, baby,” O’Ward told RACER. “I’m pumped to be back. I really miss driving this IndyCar. It’s been a good morning, a successful morning.”
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Marshall Pruett (@marshall.pruett)
The only change of plans among teams came with Meyer Shank Racing’s Felix Rosenqvist, who awoke feeling ill and was advised to skip today’s test. New teammate Marcus Armstrong, who drove his own No. 66 MSR Honda in the morning, was fitted to Rosenqvist’s No. 60 car to handle afternoon duties in the car.
The afternoon group runs from 2:05-6:05pm, and on Tuesday, the groups swap, morning and afternoon sessions.
MONDAY AM
1. Pato O’Ward, 52.347s
2. Alex Palou, +0.148s
3. Christian Lundgaard, +0.316s
4. Sting Ray Robb, +0.429s
5. Marcus Armstrong, +0.457s
6. Kyle Kirkwood, +0.503s
7. David Malukas, +0.547s
8. Scott McLaughlin, +0.574s
9. Louis Foster, +0.625s
10. Christian Rasmussen, +0.657s
11. Marcus Ericsson, +0.672s
12. Graham Rahal, +0.754s
13. Rinus VeeKay, +0.854s
14. Robert Shwartzman, +1.048s
Marshall Pruett
The 2026 season marks Marshall Pruett's 40th year working in the sport. In his role today for RACER, Pruett covers open-wheel and sports car racing as a writer, reporter, photographer, and filmmaker. In his previous career, he served as a mechanic, engineer, and team manager in a variety of series, including IndyCar, IMSA, and World Challenge.
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