IndyCar Detroit 2026 FT2: Mick Schumacher is almost two seconds behind

– Mick Schumacher (RLL-Honda; 21st) continues to struggle in the second free practice on the Downtown street circuit in Detroit. With a deficit of 1.826 seconds, he finished 21st in the second session but managed to make up quite a bit of time towards the end. (Result 2nd Free Practice)

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The German improved significantly with his last flying lap; before that, the deficit was much larger. His teammates from Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Louis Foster (9th) and Graham Rahal (16th), were 1.2 and 0.5 seconds faster.

The session was, as usual, divided into a 40-minute segment for all cars and then two twelve-minute sections, in which half of the starting field could train with somewhat freer track.

The collective session had to be interrupted early due to an engine failure of Rinus “VeeKay” van Kalmthout (Juncos-Chevrolet; 25th). VeeKay therefore did not set a meaningful lap time.

In the group phase, there was another engine failure on a Chevrolet unit, this time with Christian Lundgaard (McLaren-Chevrolet; 20th). As a result, the first of the two group sessions had to be interrupted.

Sting Ray Robb (Juncos-Chevrolet; 24th) did not go out on track again in the group phase. It was already his second time loss after the clutch defect on Friday.

Kirkwood on P1, into the wall, back on P1

As usual on a street circuit, the track showed significant development during the session. The training was spectacular for “Mister Street Course” Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti-Honda; 1st).

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He initially took the lead, then hit the wall, damaging the rear right suspension, and then took the lead again in the group phase with the repaired car.

However, he has a clear challenger in teammate Will Power (Andretti-Honda; 2nd). The Australian was only a tenth of a second slower. Power and Kirkwood kept swapping the lead, but in the end, the American had the edge.

Also noteworthy is Alex Palou (Ganassi-Honda; 4th). The reigning champion was three tenths off the best time, but he set his fastest time in the first group session, while the track already had more grip for Kirkwood, Power, and the third-placed Patricio “Pato” O’Ward (McLaren-Chevrolet).

Numerous spins, lock-ups, and light wall contacts occurred throughout the sessions, and laps had to be repeatedly aborted because a backlog of drivers formed who wanted to start their fast lap.

Josef Newgarden (Penske-Chevrolet; 22nd) is visibly struggling with his injury. A spin and uncompetitive times in the group phase dropped him behind Mick Schumacher. Other lock-ups included Nolan Siegel (McLaren-Chevrolet; 14th) and Santino Ferrucci (Foyt-Chevrolet; 11th).

Qualifying starts at 7 p.m. CEST. (All information about the IndyCar race in Detroit)

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