Takuma Sato once again established himself as the favorite to lead Friday's Indy 500 free practice. The Japanese driver overtook Alexander Rossi in the final stretch to lead Fast Friday
Fast Friday of the Indianapolis 500 ended with Takuma Sato in the lead. Already in the final hour of practice, the Japanese Dale Coyne, winner of the race in 2017 and 2020, clocked a time of 38s661, knocking Andretti's American Alexander Rossi out of first place this Friday (20). The 2016 winner was 0s151 behind.
Third place went to McLaren's Mexican Pato O'Ward, followed by the Ganassi of Sweden's Marcus Ericsson and New Zealander Scott Dixon. The day was marked by low track activity due to the strong winds, which even caused several yellow flags to clear the track.
Also from Ganassi, Brazilian Tony Kanaan took eighth place with a 38s922, behind Felix Rosenqvist and David Malukas, but ahead of Scott McLaughlin's Penske, Josef Newgarden and Will Power. However, the 2013 winner had the best time in the four-lap average.
Current Indy 500 winner, Meyer Shank's Brazilian Helio Castroneves took 18th place on Friday with a time of 39s185. Although he was behind Álex Palou, Conor Daly, Romain Grosjean, Jimmie Johnson and Marco Andretti, he finished ahead of teammate Simon Pagenaud, who was 20th.
The qualifying for the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled to take place this Saturday (21st) starting at 12:00 pm (GMT). 12 drivers will advance to the pole-position race on Sunday.
Indy 2022, Indianapolis 500, Free Practice 6: