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Alex Palou tops Sebring IndyCar test on Day 1
Reigning champion sets fastest time as rookies Schumacher, Hauger get first laps
Feb. 9, 2026 at 7:23pm
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Alex Palou set the fastest time on the opening day of the pre-season IndyCar test at Sebring International Raceway, with rookies Mick Schumacher, Dennis Hauger, and Caio Collet also getting their first laps in the series. Palou's Ganassi-Honda topped the timesheets, while Schumacher, driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, focused on preparing for the season-opening race in St. Petersburg.
Why it matters
The Sebring test is a crucial part of IndyCar's pre-season preparations, allowing teams and drivers to get valuable track time ahead of the season opener. The performance of rookies like Schumacher, Hauger, and Collet will be closely watched as they adapt to the series, while veterans like Palou look to defend their championship.
The details
Palou set the fastest time of the day at 52.626 seconds, with Felix Rosenqvist, Rinus VeeKay, and Josef Newgarden rounding out the top four. Among the rookies, Dennis Hauger was the fastest in Group 2, finishing 18th overall, while Schumacher was 23rd in Group 1. Schumacher said the focus of the test was on preparing for the season opener in St. Petersburg, where the short Sebring circuit has some comparable corners.
- The test took place on Monday, February 9, 2026.
- Group 1 drove in the morning, while Group 2 took to the track in the afternoon.
The players
Alex Palou
The four-time and reigning IndyCar champion, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing.
Mick Schumacher
An IndyCar rookie driving for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, making his first laps on the Sebring circuit.
Dennis Hauger
An IndyCar rookie and the reigning Indy NXT champion, driving for Dale Coyne Racing.
Caio Collet
An IndyCar rookie driving for A.J. Foyt Racing.
Romain Grosjean
The Swiss-born Frenchman made his comeback to IndyCar, testing for Dale Coyne Racing.
What they’re saying
“The main reason we're doing this test is to prepare for St. Pete. St. Pete is what we're all about.”
— Mick Schumacher, IndyCar Rookie
“For us, it's simply a matter of ticking a few things off our checklist before the first race.”
— Mick Schumacher, IndyCar Rookie
What’s next
The Sebring test will continue on Tuesday, with the field again divided into two groups. The teams and drivers will be looking to further prepare for the season-opening race in St. Petersburg, Florida, on March 1.
The takeaway
The Sebring test has provided an early glimpse of the competitive order in IndyCar, with reigning champion Palou setting the pace. However, the focus for many, including rookie Schumacher, is on getting ready for the season opener in St. Petersburg, where the short Sebring circuit provides useful preparation.
