Indy 500 Open Test – D1: Conor Daly fastest, Grosjean 6th

This Tuesday, for the first time, the 33 drivers entered in the Indianapolis 500 were able to take to the track on the four-kilometer oval circuit to begin their preparations for the 110th running of the legendary race (May 24). The day was divided into three sessions, the first reserved for the "veterans," meaning the drivers competing full-time in the series. IndyCar and those with prior Indy 500 experience, before a session reserved for rookies and drivers who hadn't raced since the 2025 Indy 500 or earlier. All these drivers had to meet the requirements of the "Rookie Orientation Program" and the "Refresher Program," which grants the right to participate in the third session of the day, with all the drivers, and then in the May festivities.

The three rookies for the 2025 season, namely Caio Collet, Mick Schumacher and Dennis Hauger successfully completed their ROP. Collet and Schumacher achieved this in the originally scheduled session, while Hauger was allowed to finish his program in the afternoon session. Jacob Abel, who will compete for Abel Motorsports, also completed this program. Rarely, this was only the second time in his career that he had completed it, having previously done so in 2025, but subsequently failing to qualify for the race. He therefore remains an Indy 500 rookie despite a full season in IndyCar… Among the veterans, former winners Ryan Hunter-Reay and Helio CastronevesJack Harvey and Ed Carpenter also successfully completed their "Refresher Program". Only Katherine Legge, who completed the starting grid for the event, failed to meet the program's requirements, due to a transponder problem, followed by a clutch problem.

This left 32 cars on track for the afternoon session, where, unsurprisingly, the fastest time was set in the final minutes, in the coolest conditions of the day. The top three were thus dominated by drivers who only compete in the Indy 500, with Conor Daly leading Helio Castroneves and two-time winner Takuma Sato. Other former winners, Scott Dixon and Alexander Rossiwere in the top 5 ahead Romain Grosjean, sixth with its car of Dale Coyne Racing. The Frenchman had a mishap during the first session of the day, hitting a bird head-on, fortunately without damage to his car or to himself.

Reigning champion Álex Palou finished fifteenth in his Long Beach car. Some teams have decided not to participate in the Open Test with their Indy 500 cars, so the standings could change next May. A second day of testing is scheduled for Wednesday, starting at 16 p.m. Paris time.

Indy 500 – Open Test
Day 1 rankings

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