5 Takeaways From St. Petersburg

(ST. PETERSBURG, FL.) – Congratulations goes out to Alex Palou and the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda crew for collecting their 1st win of the season and Palou’s 20th win in just 99 career starts at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.

Here are my 5 takeaways from yesterday’s race:

5. Veterans and Newcomers Show Resilience

Will Power, newly with Andretti Global in the No.26 TWG Honda suffered a brake-related crash and later wall contact on Lap 21, relegating him to 22nd. Conversely, experienced drivers like Josef Newgarden in the No.2 Astemo Chevrolet for Team Penske rallied—climbing from 23rd in qualifying to a respectable P7, showing perseverance and overtaking skill.

4. Mick Schumacher’s Debut Ends Abruptly

On the first lap, rookie Mick Schumacher in the No. 47 ENVE Composites RLL Honda was caught in a collision involving Sting Ray Robb in the No. 77 Good Heart Chevrolet for JHR and Santino Ferrucci in the No. 14 Homes For Our Troops Chevrolet with AJ Foyt Racing, ending his INDYCAR debut before it began—an early setback amid the chaos-packed opener.

3. McLaughlin, Lundgaard & Kirkwood Deliver Exciting Chase

Scott McLaughlin in the No. 3 DEX Chevrolet for Team Penske and Christian Lundgaard in the No. 7 VELO Chevrolet for Arrow McLaren engaged in a fierce yet clean battle for P2 and P3, respectively. McLaughlin led 34 laps and settled for runner-up, while Lundgaard impressively climbed from 12th to claim the final podium spot. Kyle Kirkwood in the No.27 JM Bullion Honda for Andretti Global also made noise, holding P4 for much of the later stages.

2. Strategic Pit Play Sealed the Deal

Starting on alternates and cycling through various tire compounds, Palou timed his stops perfectly. His smart pit strategy during the 1st round of green-flag stops allowed him to vault from third into the lead—a move that broke the field’s rhythm.

1.Palou Dominance Continues

Alex Palou established his authority from the start, claiming the lead after his first pit cycle and never relinquishing it. He led 59 of 100 laps, scoring a commanding win by about 12.5 seconds—a statement win at his season opener.