Palou expects track records to fall with IR28 after second day of testing

Rain blighted most of the available time to test on Sunday at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, but Honda delegate Alex Palou was able to get a solid feel for the new 2028 Dallara IR28 that will replace today’s Dallara DW12.

Alexander Rossi handled Saturday’s running and completed 36 laps; Palo turned 35 across wet morning outings, wet afternoon outings, and an attempt to get clean laps on Firestone’s primary slicks.

A brief telemetry dropout shortened one of the Chip Ganassi Racing driver’s outings as he returned to the pits, where the issue was quickly resolved, and to close the day, a problem with the alternator fashioned to feed the IR28’s electrical needs in the absence of its hybrid system led to stopping the test’s last run.

“it was better, a bit more dry,” Palou said of the 90 minutes of afternoon action. “We got a lot more laps and a lot more work done. We tried three times to go on slicks, and it was impossible. Like the track with only one car, and this drizzle that we have from time to time, didn't allow us to go on slicks. But yeah, got a lot in. We only had a small a small issue at the end, but yeah, pretty remarkable that a brand new car only had a very small [issue].

Despite the need for Firestone rain tires due to the slippery track surface, Palou said he enjoyed exploring the IR28’s potential.

“I was pushing hard,” he said. “I mean, not 100% qualifying, but I was pushing hard. I was having a lot of fun. Honestly, still very similar to what I said this morning on how the car feels a lot smoother, a lot more connected. I wouldn't say easier to drive, but it just feels like you don't need to fight crazily with the car [compared to the DW12].

“Feels like there's a bit more downforce. You never know. We actually went and did some sweeps on downforce just to get numbers for Dallara and IndyCar, but it was good. We didn't run more because we went through all the tires. Then we had all the wet tires. With these conditions, you do 10 laps and they're gone. But yeah, it was tons of fun.”

Using a years-old first-generation 2.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine built by Ilmor, and without the higher horsepower contribution promised by the series with the new hybrid system, Rossi and Palou had nothing close to the performance package the IR28 is meant to have in 2028. Even so, the four-time champion can see a bright future for the new car’s competitive capabilities.

“Maybe I'm talking too early, but I think we're gonna break a lot of IndyCar records on all kinds of tracks,” Palou said. “It just feels like it's a faster car. It feels like it's a car that is more capable.”

The next test for the IR28 is expected to happen on the IMS oval once the IndyCar season is completed in early September.