Palou reflects on "exciting" new qualifying format ahead of Arlington front row start

Credit: James Black

Álex Palou labelled IndyCar's new qualifying format as "exciting" on his way to a front row start for Sunday's Grand Prix of Arlington.

IndyCar introduced a new qualifying format for the Fast Six prior to the Arlington weekend, where drivers who qualify for the Fast Six would each attempt their laps individually, with one out lap before a one-and-done qualifying lap to decide the top six on the grid. The driver who progressed into the shootout in sixth would run first, whilst the driver who was fastest in the Fast 12 would run last.

The series stated that: "The move is designed to create a greater opportunity to spotlight and translate the challenge and expertise required by IndyCar teams and drivers competing for the top positions on the starting grid."

Palou, who was fastest in the Fast 12 qualified in second, behind first-time polesitter Marcus Ericsson who was the first driver to run in the Fast Six. That said, Ericsson's advantage was sizeable with a half-second gap to the four-time IndyCar champion.

"It was exciting to see what we could do on this Fast Six," said Palou. "It was obviously the first goal we had today was to try to get to Fast Six. It's been very close throughout the field, and you had to nail all the laps. Yeah, happy with a P2. Just a huge margin."

One of the key questions heading into the weekend was if that an advantage would be given to those who finished the Fast 12 in a lower position as their engine, brakes and tyres would be cooler heading into the shootout due to a smaller turnaround time between qualifying segments.

Based on the Arlington results, the answer was a resounding yes.

Palou had to wait approximately 20 minutes after topping the Fast 12 to get his final qualifying run in and with Palou unable to mount a significant challenge to Ericsson he had little explanation, stating that it was "hopefully because of tyre temp".

The topic was one that was asked to Palou more directly: "Tough to say, but yeah," when Palou was asked if Ericsson had an advantage based on his Fast 12 qualifying spot.

"I was slower than what I did on old tyres on the previous sessions," he later added. "I think tyre temp made a difference. Having said that, I don't know if I would have matched his lap time. He was pretty fast. I feel like the lap that he did, it's probably close to what he did on new tyres. It's a pretty good lap even on warm tyres."

The format has still been introduced this weekend on a trial basis, with the series stating that: "Following the Arlington event, IndyCar will evaluate the updated qualifying format to determine its possible use and implementation at future street and road course events."

It is yet to be seen if IndyCar will opt to use the updated format later on in the year, but Palou already has suggestions as to methods to improve the updated shootout.

"I wish that we had at least one lap to warm up, just so it would give us the option of pushing right away or warming up."