Marcus Ericsson knew he needed a better second season with Andretti Global in 2025 after finishing a disappointing 15th in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings last year.

He’s off to a fine start.

Ericsson led the pre-qualifying practice Saturday morning for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding with a top lap of 1 minute, .5151 of a second in the No. 28 Bryant Honda fielded by Andretti Global. That was an improvement from a solid first practice Friday for the opening event of the 2025 season, when he was sixth at 1:01.1467.

SEE: Practice Results

“We rolled off strong yesterday, and we did some good work overnight trying to fine-tune the car a bit,” Ericsson said. “I was really happy with the car. The car is in the zone, and we just need to very, very fine-tune for this afternoon.”

Up next is NTT P1 Award qualifying at 2:30 p.m. ET, live on FS1, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network. Ericsson will aim for his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES pole.

Live coverage of the 100-lap race starts at noon ET Sunday on FOX, FOX Deportes, the FOX Sports app and the INDYCAR Radio Network.

Rinus VeeKay turned heads by ending up second at 1:00.6081 in the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda that he was just named to drive Feb. 14. Reigning series champion Alex Palou was third at 1:00.6406 in the No. 10 DHL Chip Ganassi Racing Honda and is the only driver to finish in the top five of both practice sessions this weekend on the 14-turn, 1.8-mile temporary street circuit.

Nolan Siegel was fourth at 1:00.6407 in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, the quickest Chevy-powered driver. Conor Daly rounded out the top five at 1:00.7149 in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet.

Kyle Kirkwood, who led Friday practice, was ninth at 1:00.8576 in the No. 27 Chili’s Honda fielded by Andretti Global.