ST. PETERSBURG, FL – MARCH 01: IndyCar series driver Alex Palou (10) celebrates winning the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, 2026, at the St. Petersburg Street Circuit at St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Álex Palou dominated the IndyCar series opener at St. Petersburg, winning by 12.4948 seconds over Scott McLaughlin in the 100-lap event.

First Half

Green flag running was quickly paused due to a three-car incident just four turns into the race. Sting Ray Robb overshot the braking point, locking up the tires and slamming into the side of Santino Ferrucci and sending both into the barrier. With nowhere to go, Mick Schumacher ramped off Ferrucci’s rear tires, ripping off the 14 car’s rear wing and putting both out of the race.

David Malukas had issues early on with a lockup on the restart, causing a flatspot on the right front tire. The tire delaminated within ten laps, forcing the Penske machine into the runoff area. Malukas nursed the car back to the pits and continued the race without issue.

Will Power’s nightmare first week with Andretti continued into the race. The Australian slammed the outside wall out of turn 10, causing significant damage that forced him over 30 laps down. The 26 team was able to repair the damage and get the car back onto the track.

Second HalfST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – MARCH 1: #10: Alex Palou, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda during the NTT INDYCAR Series Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 1, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Gavin Baker/Lumen via Getty Images)

A battle between Marcus Ericsson and Scott McLaughlin off the pit lane saw Palou storm out to a significant lead. A perfect pit stop by the 10 team kept the Spaniard in the lead as the caution came out. Scott Dixon would see his day end early when his right-rear tire came off soon after exiting pit road.

Ericsson struggled on the ensuing restart, running over seven-tenths slower than Palou as the soft tires wore down. The traffic jam caused by the Swede saw Palou jump out to a 13-second lead before the final pit cycle.

A three-way battle for second exploded to life in the closing laps as McLaughlin and Kyle Kirkwood fought wheel-to-wheel, allowing Christian Lundgaard to scream into striking distance. McLaughlin threw his car down the inside at turn 10 to pass Kirkwood with 6 to go. Lundgaard made his move on Kirkwood just a few corners later, going around the outside at the final chicane to move into the podium places.

Palou’s clinical performance continued as the battle raged behind him. The Spaniard picked up his 20th IndyCar Series win by 12.495 seconds over polesitter McLaughlin, with Lundgaard coming home third.

The series moves on to Phoenix next week for a Saturday matinee race. The green flag is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. on March 7.

Top 10Álex PalouScott McLaughlinChristian LundgaardKyle KirkwoodPato O’WardMarcus EricssonJosef NewgardenRomain GrosjeanRinus VeeKayDennis Hauger

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