The Arc of Redemption alexander rossi in 2022 it reaches its peak. After his comeback to second position at the Detroit Grand Prix, just days after his signing with McLaren SP was confirmed for 2023, the current Andretti Autosport driver consolidates his return to the IndyCar elite by winning at Road America his first pole position since 2019. He also does it on the same track where that year he achieved his last victory to date, and against opposition in which Alex Palou figure predominantly from third place.
After performing at a high level in free practice, Rossi was close to the lead in his first qualifying group, 11 thousandths behind teammate Colton Herta, but his Fast 12 provided a less decorous lap, passing by just under a tenth to the final round. Despite this and the constant uncertainty due to an imminent rain that did not go beyond a light drizzle, the American was the only driver who managed to improve his benchmark with new tires on used softs, and his time of 1:44.865 it allowed him to take the pole for the first time since the first Detroit race in 2019.
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At the same time, Rossi is the eighth different poleman in the eight races held, an absolutely unusual situation at the start of a season in the last 60 years. In the 1953 season there were also eight different pole positions to start with, and in 1952 and 1961 there were nine different pole positions before someone managed to repeat. With that, beat Josef Newgarden by a tenth which until then seemed almost intractable and on course to repeat his Detroit pole having posted two nearly identical times of 1:44.5 at the previous two rounds.
Palou’s good feelings in free practice culminated in a solid qualifying session in which he passed rounds without too much trouble. The Spanish driver, winner of the event last year, finished with a time of 1:45.382 which left him half a second from pole position and from his own fastest time in the Fast 12, but which allowed him to overtake a fantastic Marcus Ericsson. The Swede equals his second best starting position in IndyCar, and continues to show great confidence in his performance, commensurate with his second place overall.
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Herta left on the records the fastest time of an IndyCar with Aeroscreen on this track (1:44.403), but his speed in the Fast 6 plummeted to fifth place, still enough to finish over a Duck O’Ward much happier today with his car. The Mexican will start two places ahead of his teammate Felix Rosenqvist, and in between they will have a frustrated Romain Grosjean for not advancing to the final phase, after a small problem in the gearbox that restricted him to a single attempt in the Fast 12.
Again, the New Zealand Scotts will share fifth row, this time with McLaughlin ahead of Dixon. Among the fastest twelve he slipped callum ilott with Juncos’ car, but the Brit ended a promising day with a run off the track in the last corner, in which he lightly hit the wall and caused a red flag that prevented him from returning to the track for the final minutes. Ilott agreed to this round at the cost of a Will Power who, despite his great speed in free practice, surprised by staying out again in the first round, sentenced to 15th starting position.
In these parts of the grill, Christian Lundgaard in 13th place was the only positive note from a Rahal team which remains mired in outright uncompetitiveness, and Carpenter’s cars suffered noticeably, including the car lined up with Paretta Autosport from a Simona de Silvestro who also lost an attempt along the way by having to do a Drive Through for exceeding the speed limit in the pits. The Swiss will have to start last tomorrow (18:55) on the grid of 27, where the weather will once again threaten to throw a curve ball.
2022 INDYCAR ROAD AMERICA GRAND PRIX QUALIFYING
The race will be broadcast on Movistar Deportes 1 on Sunday from 9:35 p.m. (Spanish time) and on Movistar Deportes at the conclusion of the Diamond League event.
Photos: IndyCar Media