Overview
- Marcus Armstrong led first practice on Friday, posting a 1:44.2714 on the grippier alternate tire as teammate Felix Rosenqvist was second and Alex Palou third.
- The top times came on the softer alternate compound, underlining short-run grip gains that are likely to influence qualifying setups rather than long-run race pace.
- Sting Ray Robb crashed at Turn 14, causing the only session stoppage and ending his running for the day after his Juncos Hollinger car hit the tire barrier.
- Rookie drivers impressed with Caio Collet sixth and Mick Schumacher eighth, while established names such as Pato O’Ward and Nolan Siegel also showed strong single-lap speed.
- Team Penske is monitoring Josef Newgarden’s left-foot recovery from his Indy crash and has Felipe Nasr on standby, and teams will return for Practice Two Saturday morning before qualifying late Saturday and the 55-lap race Sunday.