BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Sebastien Bourdais has a new sponsor (Europa), new LED wheel covers (first premiered at Sonoma last year and now on again this session), and a new place on the speed charts – first after the first 75-minute practice for the Verizon IndyCar Series at Barber Motorsports Park.
The driver of the No. 11 Europa Chevrolet for KVSH Racing led opening practice for the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama with a best time of 1:07.3399.
The wheels were just being tested today, per a team spokesperson to IndyCar Radio’s Jake Query. See below for more information.
ICYMI: We've added some LED lights featuring @TeamChevy to our @FirestoneRacing wheels! pic.twitter.com/StcDmP6eaT
— KV Racing Technology (@kvracingtech_) April 22, 2016
Here are the LED lights in the wheels of @BourdaisOnTrack . Adds about a 1/4 lb. Won't be used in race. @GriffPope pic.twitter.com/zxMbb2heur
— Jake Query (@jakequery) April 22, 2016
More information on the Europa partnership is linked here; I spoke to KVSH Racing team co-owner James “Sulli” Sullivan this morning.
.@BourdaisOnTrack chats with @katiehargitt after finishing quickest in #HIGPA Practice 1. #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/ONKlj1UEIa
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) April 22, 2016
While Bourdais’ Chevrolet was on top, Honda had a very strong session with Jack Hawksworth, Carlos Munoz, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Takuma Sato and Graham Rahal locking down spots two through six.
This is Hawksworth’s first session with new engineer Daniele Cucchiaroni engineering the No. 41 ABC Supply Co. Honda.
Juan Pablo Montoya lost the last few minutes of the session owing to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, in his first session testing a new carbon Bell helmet.
.@jpmontoya was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct and forced to sit out the last two minutes of practice. #INDYCAR #HIGPA
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 22, 2016
New lid for JPM this session. pic.twitter.com/CNYIr1eJVD
— Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) April 22, 2016
All told 0.9963 of a second covered first through 19th in the 21-car field.
With an electrical issue, the team not able to blame a battery, Tony Kanaan was only able to complete six laps in the session with the No. 10 NTT Data Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet.
Times are below.
