Alexander Rossi on pole for Detroit Race 1

The format of this qualification for the first race of the double meeting in Detroit differed slightly from that seen on the other road/urban circuits, with two groups of drivers, the best cumulative time from the two sessions being used to decide the allocation from the pole.

If Josef Newgarden (Team Penske – Chevrolet) dominated the first group to set off on the Belle Isle track ahead of Felix Rosenqvist (Chip Ganassi Racing – Honda) and Ryan Hunter-Reay (Andretti Autosport – Honda), it was Alexander Red (Andretti Autosport) who put everyone in agreement in 1’14”198 in the second group.

Since last week's Indy 500, @AlexanderRossi has been on a tear!

What a lap by the @FollowAndretti driver in @DetroitGP Qualifying on @NBCSportsGold: https://t.co/MYVbOAqy8G #INDYCAR // #DETROITGP pic.twitter.com/H8uIY1DZA8

— IndyCar on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 1, 2019

The American's best time therefore gives him pole position, his sixth in his career, ahead of Newgarden, the grid being constituted by alternating positions between the two groups. The second row will be 100% Chip Ganassi Racing with Scott Dixon and Felix Rosenqvist ahead of Colton Herta (Harding Steinbrenner Racing – Honda) and Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Significantly less success for the two French pilots, since simon pagenaud (Team Penske), 7th in the second group, will start 13th, when Sébastien Bourdais (Dale Coyne Racing with Vasser Sullivan – Honda) will start from 16th position.

The race will take place at 21 p.m. French time.