Mid-Ohio IndyCar Rookie Test: Nasr Tops Charts, Collet Impresses
In a competitive private IndyCar Series rookie test at Mid-Ohio, Felipe Nasr of Team Penske emerged as the fastest driver, clocking a lap time of 1m05.715s in the No. 2 Chevrolet. The Brazilian, an ex-Formula 1 competitor and current IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship factory pilot for Porsche, edged out AJ Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet, who recorded a strong 1m05.861s in his IndyCar debut.
Collet’s performance stood out, as he was the only driver to complete the day without incident. “I think Caio did a great job,” said Foyt team president Larry Foyt. “He did exactly what was asked of him… It seemed just to really come natural to him.” This consistent performance has drawn speculation that Collet may replace David Malukas on the Foyt team, with Foyt indicating that discussions will occur soon.
New to the Dale Coyne Racing lineup, Dennis Hauger finished third with a best lap of 1m06.232s, despite a morning crash that delayed his session. Chip Ganassi Racing’s Niels Koolen followed closely in fourth place with a time of 1m06.649s, while Kakunoshin ‘Kaku’ Ohta of Meyer Shank Racing rounded out the field with a time of 1m06.850s.
Ohta emphasized the learning experience, stating, “My first IndyCar test was not only about learning the car, but also about understanding the track, the tires, and the setups.” He expressed gratitude to Meyer Shank Racing for the opportunity and optimism about potentially competing in the series in the future.
The test demonstrated the significant talent entering the IndyCar paddock, with promising performances from both seasoned competitors and emerging rookies.
