Marcus Ericsson is making a strong impression at Andretti Global as he adjusts to his new team. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 champion showcased his skills during the second day of NTT INDYCAR SERIES testing held on February 27 at Sebring International Raceway, recording a top lap of 51.9512 seconds in the No. 28 Delaware Life Honda.
"Today is very important, especially when you're in a new team," Ericsson stated. "It's been a lot of learning processes, learning the people, learning the car. Everything is new, obviously. We don't get a lot of tests these days. So, we need to maximize that."
Ericsson's rapid pace earned him the quickest overall time during the two-day testing event as teams gear up for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg scheduled for Sunday, March 10. Notably, Ericsson clinched the St. Petersburg race last year, adding to the excitement surrounding his performance.
Finishing close on his heels was two-time series champion Will Power, who clocked a remarkable lap of 52.0076 in the No. 12 Verizon Business Team Penske Chevrolet. Power, like Ericsson, achieved his best lap in the final minutes of the session, demonstrating the competitive edge present at Sebring.
"It’s nice to see everyone pushing hard at the end of the day," said Power, reflecting on the intensity of the sessions. "We’re all just trying to dial in our setups before the season kicks off."
Pato O’Ward secured third place with a time of 52.0104 in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, after showcasing consistency that had him leading the morning session with a lap time of 52.0158. Meanwhile, fellow driver Felix Rosenqvist, who transitioned from Arrow McLaren to Meyer Shank Racing this season, clocked in fourth with a 52.0305.
Graham Rahal rounded out the top five, finishing the day with a lap of 52.0598 in the No. 15 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda. The times set by each of the top five drivers on Tuesday surpassed the best overall lap recorded on Monday by reigning series champion Alex Palou, who finished sixth overall.
“It’s a testament to how competitive the field is this year,” remarked O’Ward. "What you’re looking for is just different types of patches, concrete, asphalt, bumpy. That’s what you get in a street course. You really don't know what to expect until you get there, but you expect to get a little bit of everything."
The testing saw 12 drivers completing a total of 698 laps on Wednesday, part of a collective effort where 26 drivers turned 2,115 laps over the two days. The tough condition of the Sebring track, with its amalgam of concrete and asphalt, is often likened to the challenging surfaces of street courses like that in St. Petersburg.
Amidst all the excitement, sports car veteran Colin Braun attracted attention during the testing as he made his debut in an INDYCAR SERIES car, driving the No. 51 Dale Coyne Racing Honda. Braun, a three-time IMSA season champion, had a notable outing, ending the day just .9657 of a second off Ericsson's top time.
"My first day in (INDYCAR machinery), certainly a blast jumping in the deep end," Braun remarked. "A lot to learn, but it was great having Jack Harvey here helping out. I made progress all day, and it felt like it went pretty smooth on my end."
As teams and drivers continue to prepare for the upcoming season, the valuable lessons learned during testing at Sebring will be crucial in shaping strategies for the races ahead. With nearly a full month until the kick-off race in St. Petersburg, anticipation builds as drivers like Ericsson and O’Ward look to capitalize on their successes so far, while newcomers like Braun aim to establish their presence in the fast-paced world of INDYCAR racing.
