The Swede, who joined Andretti World over the offseason, put down a flying lap of 51.9512s (115.724 mph) across the circuit’s shorter 1.67-mile structure, which got here late within the afternoon session. He logged 83 laps in whole on the day.
“Immediately is essential, particularly if you’re in a brand new group,” Ericsson mentioned. “It has been a number of studying processes, studying the individuals, studying the automobile. All the pieces is new, clearly. We do not get a number of assessments today. So, we have to maximize that.
“We simply had a very good day. So, that is optimistic, and we’re feeling enthusiastic about going to St. Pete.”
Crew Penske’s Will Energy ended up second after nailing a 52.0076s finest lap, simply forward of Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward in third, who led the morning session, pounded out 98 laps on the day (second-most) and hit a mark of 52.0104s.
“Again with the No. 5 group at this time,” O’Ward mentioned, noting his swap to his authentic group after subbing for injured team-mate David Malukas in Monday’s working.
“It was a very easy testing day for us at this time. We bought by way of our entire run plan, and now we’re able to get the season kicked off in St. Pete. We’re actually wanting ahead to getting down there.”
Felix Rosenqvist was capable of make a strong impression within the early days of his transition to Meyer Shank Racing, pushing a lap of 52.0305s to finish up fourth. Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s Graham Rahal got here away fifth, placing down a session-most 99 laps that featured a private better of 52.0598s.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s rookies Kyffin Simpson and Linus Lundqvist wrapped up the day sixth and seventh, respectively. Santino Ferrucci surged AJ Foyt Racing into the highest 10 to finish up eighth, forward of Juncos Hollinger Racing newcomer Romain Grosjean in ninth and Ganassi’s Marcus Armstrong in tenth.
The highest 10 have been separated by 0.325s.
Rookie Christian Rasmussen (Ed Carpenter Racing) completed up eleventh, adopted by Colin Braun in twelfth, who put down 67 laps in his first-ever style of Indy automobile equipment that got here courtesy of Dale Coyne Racing. Braun was 0.9657s off the mark set by Ericsson.
Of be aware, the entire prime 5 in Tuesday’s check put down quicker occasions than first day pacesetter Alex Palou.
The Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, which indicators the beginning of the 2024 season for the IndyCar Sequence, is March 10.
