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Alex Palou Thrills Fans by Powering IR-28 at Sebring
Highlights
- Alex Palou tested new IR-28 chassis at Sebring Raceway.
- IR-28 evaluated on rough pavement simulating street circuit conditions.
- Alexander Rossi joined testing, continuing system and performance checks.
- IR-28 features improved driver cooling with integrated airflow ducts.
- First on-track pass achieved against current car by Palou.
- IR-28 will officially debut at the start of 2028 season.
Alex Palou leads the IR-28’s first non-IMS run, logging 43 laps on Sebring’s outer loop during a Sebring test. The Monday outing targets durability on notoriously rough pavement.
Sebring’s abrasive asphalt and concrete replicate street-circuit stress better than IMS. That context makes the mileage a key validation step for hardware reliability and aero stability over long runs.
Palou and Chip Ganassi Racing push systems hard to expose weak points. “We’re trying to get miles and miles, see what breaks so we can fix it,” he says post-debrief.
Earlier phases cover the Indianapolis road course and oval in August and September. Alexander Rossi continues the program on Tuesday, extending baseline gathering across configurations and setup windows.
Dallara and INDYCAR engineers oversee system checks alongside team crews, standardising test protocols. The IR-28 enters competition in 2028, allowing a long runway to manage integration and supplier coordination.
“We’re trying to get miles and miles, see what breaks so we can fix it.” — Alex Palou
Cooling receives noticeable upgrades. New bodywork integrates larger, better-placed ducts, including a significant inlet ahead of the cockpit, addressing previous add-on solutions and improving driver endurance during heavy traffic.
A key milestone follows when Palou overtakes Kyle Kirkwood’s current-spec car. Kirkwood and Scott McLaughlin conduct Firestone Firehawk tyre work, creating mixed traffic that reveals the IR-28’s behaviour in proximity.
That pass is unplanned but useful. The group agrees to run together, generating data on wake sensitivity, braking stability, and traction over bumps common to street tracks and airport courses.
Palou executes the IR-28’s first on-track pass while mixing with current machinery at Sebring.
Sebring’s established database from current cars strengthens comparisons. Early signs indicate robust reliability and improved drivability, reinforcing expectations of safer running and closer following across road, street, and oval venues.
The IR-28 is scheduled to debut at the start of the 2028 INDYCAR season.
The competitive picture evolves as teams refine setups during the extended programme. Alongside manufacturer moves like the Arrow McLaren engine deal, that shapes development priorities ahead of 2028.
For fans, early progress offers tangible momentum. Palou’s Sebring work marks a significant milestone and builds anticipation for next season’s fights between Dixon, Lundgaard, and Palou.
Visual Summary
IR-28 DEBUTS
IR-28 Conquers Sebring’s Punishing Track
👊 43 relentless laps, zero breakdowns
💨 Driver cooling: All-new integrated air ducts
43 Laps
🏁 First On-Track Pass!
➤ Purpose: Stress-test chassis outside Indy—Sebring’s rough pavement pushes durability & performance.
➤ Who drove? Alex Palou (Day 1) & Alexander Rossi (Day 2)
➤ Milestone: Passed Kirkwood’s current-gen car in traffic 👋
➤ Why it matters: Early signs point to safer, racier, more driver-friendly INDYCARs for 2028.
2028: Palou, Dixon, Lundgaard—Who will tame the next generation?
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
