Indy 500: Mick Schumacher will start from P28 on the grid for Brickyard debut

The weather-hit opening day of qualifying for the 110th running of the Indy 500 was pushed back after persistent rain washed out all track action on Saturday. Sunshine and warm conditions finally greeted the 33-car field on Sunday as drivers tackled a shortened three-hour Q1 session.

With only one four-lap qualifying run permitted per driver, Schumacher delivered an average speed of 229.450 mph in the #47 Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda. The German rookie ended the session 28th overall, securing a place on the 10th row for next Sunday’s 500-mile race.

“The whole weekend wasn’t easy,” Schumacher admitted after his run. “We now need to understand what happened in qualifying. The car felt good, which perhaps isn’t even the best thing. Maybe you want a car that’s a bit nervous here. We’ll look into it now and hopefully have a good car for the race.”

The former Formula 1 driver was the 15th car to head out after Friday evening’s qualifying draw. Conditions proved significantly hotter than during any previous practice session this week, adding another variable for teams and drivers to manage.

Schumacher arrives at Indianapolis this year as a full-time IndyCar rookie and has steadily built confidence on the famous 2.5-mile oval since completing the mandatory Rookie Orientation Programme during April’s open test.

Schumacher is part of a contingent of former Formula 1 drivers competing in this year’s Indianapolis 500. Marcus Ericsson, driving the #28 Andretti Global entry, returns as the 2022 Indy 500 winner after racing in Formula 1 for Sauber and Caterham between 2014 and 2018.

Romain Grosjean, now with Dale Coyne Racing in the #18 machine, brings one of the most experienced Formula 1 résumés in the field after spells with Renault, Lotus and Haas between 2009 and 2020 before switching to IndyCar.

Takuma Sato, Schumacher’s team-mate at Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, remains one of the race’s biggest threats as a two-time Indy 500 winner and former Formula 1 driver with Jordan, BAR and Super Aguri.

Alexander Rossi also returns to the event as a former Indy 500 winner after his famous 2016 victory. The American made a handful of Formula 1 starts with Manor in 2015 before forging a successful IndyCar career.

Speaking earlier in the weekend, Schumacher underlined the significance of adding the Indianapolis 500 to his growing motorsport résumé after previously competing in Monaco and Le Mans.

“I’m just really looking forward to what will be going on here on race day,” Schumacher said. “It’s one of those great races. I’ve driven in Monaco and Le Mans, so this is the last big race on the list of those I need to experience. I’m sure it will be fantastic.”

Among the three rookies in this year’s field, Dennis Hauger qualified behind Schumacher in 31st for Coyne-Honda, while Caio Collet advanced into the Top 12 Shootout for Foyt-Chevrolet and will battle later on Sunday for a higher grid position.

Within the four-car Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing squad, Takuma Sato qualified strongest in 13th, while Louis Foster secured 22nd. Graham Rahal will line up 30th.

Several former Indy 500 winners also locked in their starting positions during Q1. Helio Castroneves qualified 15th for Meyer Shank Racing, Ericsson took 18th for Andretti, Will Power ended up 20th for Penske, while two-time defending winner Josef Newgarden will start only 24th.

Attention now shifts to the Top 12 Shootout and the Fast 6 later on Sunday, where pole position for the Indy 500 will be decided.

Felix Rosenqvist topped the Q1 session for Meyer Shank Racing and will therefore run last in the Top 12 Shootout.

The Swede is joined by Ganassi trio Scott Dixon, Alex Palou and Kyffin Simpson, Penske pair Scott McLaughlin and David Malukas, both Foyt entries of Caio Collet and Santino Ferrucci, McLaren driver Patricio O’Ward, Conor Daly for Dreyer & Reinbold, Alexander Rossi for Ed Carpenter Racing, and Rinus VeeKay for Juncos Hollinger.