Test Patterns: Sebring

Testing on Feb. 10-11 at Sebring International Raceway wasn’t classified as an NTT INDYCAR SERIES Open Test, but the private team test at the historic Florida circuit still provided plenty of information to digest as the 2026 season draws closer and closer.

Twenty-four drivers turned laps on the 1.67-mile version of the notoriously bumpy road course. The circuit serves as an ideal tune-up for the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on Sunday, March 1 (noon, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, FOX Deportes, INDYCAR Radio Network), as its bumps and changing surface types mirror that of many temporary street circuits like the St. Petersburg layout.

Drivers were split into two sessions both days, with each group switching time slots on the second day. It’s time for some itemized deductions based on unofficial times and understanding that all teams have different programs and priorities during testing.

So, pinch that grain of salt, and let’s go.

Top Session Times

The weather at Sebring was very similar both days, with sunny skies, air temperatures in the mid-70s and light winds. So, that creates a slightly more level view of the top times from each session:

Monday a.m.: Alex Palou, No. 10 Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, 52.626 seconds

Monday p.m.: Marcus Armstrong, No. 66 Meyer Shank Racing Honda, 52.847

Tuesday a.m.: Armstrong, 52.373

Tuesday p.m.: Kyle Kirkwood, No. 27 Andretti Global Honda, 52.479

One takeaway: Honda-powered drivers led all four sessions.

Armstrong Marches Forward

Marcus Armstrong (photo, top) produced a breakthrough year in 2025 during his second full-time season in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and first with Meyer Shank Racing, as he placed a career-best eighth in the championship.

Armstrong may be ready to climb the step into being called a legitimate championship contender this season, if this two-day test is any indication.

He was the quickest driver in both sessions he was on track. His lap of 52.373 on Tuesday morning was tops overall, and he set the pace Monday afternoon at 52.847.

Armstrong’s leading pace Monday afternoon was good for only fifth overall that day, as Palou (52.626), Armstrong’s MSR teammate, Felix Rosenqvist (52.650), Rinus VeeKay of Juncos Hollinger Racing (52.756) and Josef Newgarden of Team Penske (52.846) were faster in the morning. But it’s still an impressive performance.

Keep an eye on New Zealand native Armstrong as a possible breakout star this season and a solid bet to earn his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES victory.

Palou Still Lurking

It came as no surprise to see reigning and four-time series champion Palou (photo, above) atop the time charts after the opening session Monday in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda. After all, he won eight of 17 races last season to steamroll his competition.

Palou slipped a bit in his session Tuesday, ending up fifth at 52.874 in the afternoon. He was roughly four-tenths behind the top time of that session, 52.479, set by Kyle Kirkwood of Andretti Global.

The Phoenix Rises Again

There’s only one seat for the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season without a formally announced occupant, the teammate to rookie and 2025 INDY NXT by Firestone champion Dennis Hauger at Dale Coyne Racing.

Series veteran Romain Grosjean (photo, above, right) turned laps Monday morning and Tuesday afternoon in DCR’s No. 18 Honda, perhaps setting the stage for a return to the team with which he made his INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2021. Formula One veteran Grosjean switched to the INDYCAR SERIES after surviving a horrific, fiery crash at the 2020 F1 season finale at Bahrain, earning him the nickname “The Phoenix.”

Frenchman Grosjean was 11th in his session Monday morning at 53.798, 1.172 seconds behind Palou’s session-leading pace. On Tuesday afternoon, he improved to 53.220, .741 of a second behind session leader Kirkwood.

Grosjean produced three podium finishes as a rookie with Coyne in 2021 before moving to Andretti Global for 2022-23 and Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2024. He was the reserve driver for PREMA Racing last season while racing full time in sports cars.

Power, Malukas Ease Into New Rides

By far the most publicized and scrutinized ride swap this offseason was David Malukas leaving AJ Foyt Racing to take over the No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet from two-time series champion Will Power, who left the team after 16 full-time seasons to take over the No. 26 TWG AI Honda of Andretti Global.

Malukas (photo, above) was quiet during his two on-track sessions, ending up ninth Monday morning at 53.442, .816 of a second behind session leader Palou. Malukas also trailed new teammate Newgarden by nearly six-tenths in that group.

On Tuesday afternoon, Malukas improved to 53.167. That was .688 of a second behind session leader Kirkwood and just .149 of a second off Newgarden’s pace.

Power was a bit sluggish out of the blocks in his new ride Monday afternoon, ninth at 53.337. That was .490 of a second behind leader Armstrong and .298 of a second behind Scott McLaughlin, the only one of his former Penske teammates in his group.

2018 Indianapolis 500 winner Power improved Tuesday morning. He was third in the group at 52.611, .238 behind leader Armstrong. Power also was .0258 of a second quicker than McLaughlin, which had to put a smile under his helmet.

Rookie Report

Three drivers will contend for NTT INDYCAR SERIES Rookie of the Year honors in 2026, and it’s never too early to start reading into times to see if anyone has an edge.

2025 INDY NXT by Firestone runner-up Caio Collet of AJ Foyt Racing (photo, above) was the quickest rookie of the two-day testing, topping out at 52.891 seconds in the team’s No. 4 Chevrolet on Tuesday afternoon. That was good for sixth overall in that session and was ahead of two-time series champion Newgarden and 2025 series runner-up Pato O’Ward.

Last year’s INDY NXT champion, Dennis Hauger, was second quickest overall among the first-year drivers, maxing out at 53.226 in the No. 19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda.

The highest-profile of the rookie drivers, Formula One veteran Mick Schumacher, continued his adjustment to INDYCAR SERIES racing by turning a top overall lap of 53.430 on Tuesday afternoon in the No. 47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda. That was .252 of a second behind the top RLL driver of the day, Louis Foster at 53.178 in the team’s No. 45 Honda.

But Schumacher, son of legendary seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, still made progress Tuesday from his best lap Monday morning of 54.269.

Ironically, the quickest rookie of the test doesn’t have a seat for this season. INDY NXT veteran Hunter McElrea, who made one INDYCAR SERIES start in 2024 at Mid-Ohio, was the quickest among the drivers still with rookie stripes at 52.730 on Tuesday morning in the No. 20 ECR Chevrolet as part of a driver evaluation by the team. McElrea has raced in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship the last two seasons.

Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Up Next

After this private team test that felt more like an Open Test, the next on-track session for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES is an official sanctioning body session Tuesday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 18, the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway.

All teams and drivers are expected to turn laps on the 1.022-mile oval, which returns to the series schedule for the first time since 2018 with the Good Ranchers 250 on Saturday, March 7 during an exciting doubleheader weekend with NASCAR at the track.

Testing at Phoenix will take place from 2-7 p.m. ET Feb. 17 and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. ET and 3:30-6:30 p.m. ET Feb. 18.

The Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will only be open to fans on Feb. 18. Access is free and will include an autograph session from 12:45-1:15 p.m. MT for the first 300 fans to visit the Phoenix Raceway display in the Midway.

Live timing and scoring from both days of the Unser INDYCAR Open Test at Phoenix Raceway will be provided on INDYCAR.com and the INDYCAR App powered by NTT DATA. Fans unable to attend the test also can follow along on INDYCAR social channels.