The official practice of the Indy 500 in 2022 started, and Takuma Sato (Dale Coyne Racing with RWR) marked the fastest lap on the first day.
The Indianapolis 500 Mile, which boasts the world’s longest history and the largest scale in the world, will be held for the 106th time this year. Races that have gone along with the history of the car have traditionally spent almost a month in May from practice to the final race.
The big race, which always competes at the cutting edge of the times, has been held for a long time with careful preparation and fighting, so many innovative technologies have been created and many famous games have been played. It has been unfolded.
From the end of the 1990s, the number of driving days for the Indy 500 was gradually reduced in order to curb the soaring costs of participating teams. Still, it hasn’t changed to the point where it’s completed in one weekend like a regular race, and even this year the practice is four days before the qualifying, and two more days after the two-day weekend qualifying. After that, the final race will be held.
May 17th was the first day of practice for the 106th Indy 500 this year, with two hours in the morning and three hours in the afternoon. Although the races have been shortened, the Indy 500 still has a much longer practice time than other races, so the level of competition with machines with refined settings is high. Further enhanced races will be developed.
In Indianapolis, the capital of the state of Indiana in the eastern United States, a refreshing blue sky spread from the morning, and comfortable conditions with a pleasant breeze continued for a day. The temperature was 19 degrees Celsius even when it was coolest, and rose to 27 degrees Celsius during the afternoon session.
33 entries ran a 2.5 mph historic oval course, and in practice session 1 in the morning Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) recorded the fastest lap of 39 seconds 6268 = 227.119 mph, the first IndyCar in a long time. Takuma Sato (Dale Coyne Racing with RWR) recorded the fastest lap of 39 seconds 3118 = 228.939 mph in Practice 2, which began at 3:00 pm after the practice for the participating drivers.
Scott Dixon is the 2008 Indianapolis 500 winner, and Takuma Sato is the driver who won the 2017 and 2020 Indianapolis 500 twice. Veteran Honda drivers, who have set brilliant records in traditional big races, got off to a good start. And in Practice 1, Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) is second behind Dixon, and spot-entry Marco Andretti (Andretti Herta Autosport with Marco & Curb-Agajanian) is fifth, Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing). Was 8th and Honda drivers were 1-2, with 4 in the top 10.
In addition, in Practice 2 in the afternoon, Takuma Sato, Scott Dixon, Rookie Jimmy Johnson (Chip Ganassi Racing), Marco Andretti, Honda dominated the top four in that order, Alex Palou was sixth, and Sato was rookie. Takuma’s teammate Dale Coyne Racing with HMD is 7th, Tony Kanaan (Chip Ganassi Racing), who is also in the spot at the 2013 Indianapolis 500 Winner, is 9th, and Marco Andretti is 10th. And Honda drivers were eight in the top ten, with rookie Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport and 2019 Indy 500 winner Simon Pagenaud (Meyer Shank Racing), who also used Honda engines in 11th and 12th place. ..
Scott Dixon ran 75 laps and Takuma Sato ran 68 laps in two practices. The most was 132 laps by Jack Harvey (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing).
The practice on the second day will start at noon on the 18th and will be held for 6 hours, one hour longer than the first day, until 6 pm.
Takuma Sato (Dale Coyne Racing with RWR)
“Today Scott Dixon has always been at the top, but I was able to record the fastest lap with a big drafting during the last run. It was a very happy day. New tires and big. I think anyone can get that much speed with Dixon as a set. To be honest, our team couldn’t get the morning practice as smooth as they wanted. I had to go back to the garage and do a lot of checks because there was something wrong with the feel of the car. In the afternoon I was able to change the situation and record fast speeds. The teammate’s car looks good. Dale Coyne Racing made great preparations during the winter. It was the first day of practice that proved. “
Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing)
“It was a very good day not only for myself, but for Chip Ganassi Racing as a whole. From the start, the car was very good and I was able to complete many test items. Not just the Indy 500, but the race. However, we cannot always try all the settings we have prepared. However, our team has five cars and everyone has high abilities, so we were able to pass many tests in a short time. Even if it is the same, the feeling may be different depending on the driver, so in that case each driver actually checks it. After tomorrow, many tests will be repeated, and the setting will gradually approach the important point. As many drivers did today, run as much traffic as you can. That’s what you need to build a strong car in the race. Last year we started experimenting with qualifying settings. I’ve been in a mess since about Thursday, so I’m going to be careful with the settings this year. Today is still the first day, but I felt our car was very competitive, and of course. There is room for improvement in any car. Again, today is still the first day of the race. I don’t think anyone has shown all of their abilities yet. “
Category: Category: F1 / Sato Takuma / Indycar