Testing report
IndyCar Indy April Testing
“Refresher” Bourdais sets fastest speed in Indy 500 testing
Four-time Champ Car title winner Sebastien Bourdais had to complete the Rookie and Refresher practice session at Indy, but made the most of it to set a 224.427mph lap.
David Malsher-Lopez
Edited: Apr 9, 2021, 1:32 PM
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The AJ Foyt Racing-Chevrolet driver, with the aid of a tow from two cars, lapped the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway 43 times, setting his best time of 40.1022sec, on Lap 33.
His best no-tow speed was only eighth in the 11-car Rookies & Refreshers session, but that was largely a result of there being not enough clear track, as the 80min session was interrupted by a yellow flag, hurrying everyone onto the track at golden hour.
“Pretty good refresher for the A.J. Foyt No. 14,” Bourdais said. “That ROKiT car was pretty good. It always feels a little different when you start at low speeds and the car’s never really settled, but we got through both phases and are ready to go tomorrow and start working properly. It’s all good.”
Sage Karam was an encouraging second fastest in the Dreyer & Reinbold Racing-Chevy, while third fastest was three-time Indy winner and four-time polesitter Helio Castroneves in the Meyer Shank Racing-Honda.
James Hinchcliffe, back with Andretti Autosport-Honda fulltime in 2021, was fourth, and the 2016 Indy polesitter will have been gratified to clock a 219.788mph lap without the aid of a tow. That put him top of the session for no-tows, and just 0.1mph off teammate Colton Herta’s top no-tow time from this morning.
Simona De Silvestro was never able to find a space to get a no-tow speed but the 2011 Rookie of the Year looked very comfortable as she reacclimated to IndyCars and the Brickyard after a six-year absence, ducking and diving through slower traffic, and setting seventh fastest time.
The Dale Coyne Racing with RWR-Hondas of IMS rookies Pietro Fittipaldi and Cody Ware completed Stage 2 of ROP, with Fittipaldi turning 62 laps, more than anyone else.
Practice resumes at 9am ET tomorrow to help compensate for the time lost to rain today.
P
No
Name
FTime
Gap
FL
Laps
FSpeed
Engine
Tire
Team
1
14
Sebastien Bourdais
40.1022
0.000
33
43
224.427
Chevy
P
AJ Foyt Enterprises
2
24
Sage Karam
40.5317
0.4295
37
43
222.048
Chevy
P
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing
3
06
Helio Castroneves
40.7061
0.1744
47
55
221.097
Honda
P
Meyer Shank Racing
4
29
James Hinchcliffe
40.9140
0.2079
34
43
219.974
Honda
P
Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport
5
18
Ed Jones
40.9813
0.0673
34
41
219.612
Honda
P
Dale Coyne Racing
6
86
Juan Pablo Montoya
41.0754
0.0941
29
45
219.109
Chevy
P
Arrow McLaren SP
7
16
Simona De Silvestro
41.1095
0.0341
44
51
218.927
Chevy
P
Paretta Autosport
8
4
Dalton Kellett
41.3136
0.2041
43
49
217.846
Chevy
P
AJ Foyt Enterprises
9
51
Pietro Fittipaldi
41.3964
0.0828
56
62
217.410
Honda
P
Dale Coyne Racing w/Rick Ware Racing
10
59
Max Chilton
41.4817
0.0853
30
47
216.963
Chevy
P
Carlin
11
52
Cody Ware
41.8846
0.4029
49
49
214.876
Honda
P
Dale Coyne Racing w/Rick Ware Racing
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