St Pete – Josef Newgarden impregnable, Penske triumph and Romain Grosjean abandons

Ranking IndyCar 2024 – St Petersburg Grand Prix:

• The opening round of the 2024 seasonIndyCar in the streets of St Petersburg (Florida) was a walk in the park for Josef Newgarden (Team Penske). The winner of the 500 Indy 2023, author of pole position, has always mastered his subject in the 100 laps on the program. He imitates his 2019 campaign, where he also won the first race… and the championship at the end of the year.
• The only Frenchman entered in IndyCar this season, Romain Grosjean, had high hopes this Sunday. After leaving Andretti to join the more modest Juncos Hollinger Racing outfit in the off-season, the Habs started from 5th place. A cautious start dropped him to 8th place, then two laborious pit stops pushed him beyond the top 10. But the worst was to come: on the 69th lap, he collided with rookie Linus Lundqvist (Chip Ganassi Racing) . The stewards imposed a drive-through penalty on him. It then suffered mechanical damage and was forced to abandon.

Contact between @RGrosjean and @L_Lundqvist76 send the No. 8 into the tire barrier.

The No. 77 has been assessed a drive-through penalty for avoidable contact.#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/IuQJLeWB2y

- NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) March 10, 2024

• As in 2023, Pato O'Ward (Arrow McLaren) begins the year with a second place. The Mexican resisted the strong comeback of the two Penske clan teammates, Scott McLaughlin and Will Power. These two drivers had failed their tests, but better management of tires and fuel allowed them to move back into the leading group.
• The outgoing IndyCar champion, Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing), saves the furniture of his team. Starting 13th, the Spaniard finished in 6th place while veteran Scott Dixon was content with 9th place following a disastrous pit stop.
• Author of an excellent 2nd place in qualifying, Felix Rosenqvist (Meyer Shank Racing) attacked too much at the start of the race, and slipped down the hierarchy during the last stint. The Swede finished 7th.
• The next IndyCar race is scheduled for March 24 at California's Thermal Club circuit, but will not count toward the 2024 championship. The next round of the championship is set for the streets of Long Beach (April 21).

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