6 stories from St. Petersburg as IndyCar returns

IndyCar returned this past weekend after a long winter break, and despite a slightly predictable race winner, several talking points arose from the St. Petersburg opener, including the performance of one rookie in particular. What else did we spot though?

As you were for the champ

Alex Palou continued as he left off in 2025, benefitting from the pit stop sequences to establish a strong lead as he went from fourth on the grid to victory.

It feels inevitable and almost looks easy at times watching the Spaniard and ‘St. Pete’ was no exception. Maybe time to give F1 a try Alex?

Hau about that?

First and foremost, Dennis Hauger rocked up to St.Pete as if he’d been driving the Dale Coyne car his entire life. On the pace in practice, the rookie Norwegian qualified third to become the highest qualifying debut rookie since Robert Wickens took a debut pole in 2018 and started next to the reigning champion, Palou on the grid.

The 22 year old would finish his first race in a strong tenth place, but announced his IndyCar arrival in stunning fashion.

Ro-main for the job

Dale Coyne Racing seemed to deliberate over the second driver for their car after an early announcement that Dennis Hauger would join the team. Conor Daly, Linus Lundqvist and even Yuki Tsunoda at one stage was touted for a drive, but DCR opted for Romain Grosjean, who’s had a year on the sidelines.

The Swiss-French driver immediately repaid the faith, making the Fast Six in qualifying. He’d go on to finish the race eighth, ahead of teammate Hauger and didn’t look at all out of place, in spite of a year away.

No good Mick

Mick Schumacher is probably the headline new driver on the grid, his name carrying a lot of weight after his father’s accomplishments.

Mick’s own time in F1 was very up-down, although much of the latter and a move to IndyCar brings him a new start as a rookie in the grid.

Unfortunately for the German, his debut race lasted just four corners, as he became a victim of Sting Ray Robb locking up on cold tyres having started 21st. Better luck next time.

Movers & shakers

Multiple drivers showcased overtaking moves to advance from lowly grid positions after a mixed qualifying with McLaren’s Christian Lundgaard the most notable as he made up nine positions to round off the podium.

Lundgaard - finished: 3rd, started: 12th

Kyle Kirkwood - finished: 4th, started: 15th

Josef Newgarden - finished: 7th, started: 23rd

Rinus VeeKay - finished: 9th, started: 19th

Alex Rossi - finished: 16th, started: 25th

Dixon dented

Evergreen Scott Dixon at 45 years of age remains very much regarded as IndyCar’s greatest ever, and will harbour ambitions of another title as he seeks to add to his six to date.

However, the Australian starts the season already with a deficit to Palou, with a loose wheel nut bringing his race to a premature end on lap 39. The Chip Ganassi Racing driver lost a tyre on his out lap and veered off course, and the result dishes a heavy blow to his title chances, even this early in the season.

📸Image credits: NTT IndyCar Series, IndyCar on Fox.