Indianapolis 500 entry list || Practice 1 results
Stefano Coletti’s initial impression of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s 2.5-mile oval: “It’s fast.”
Anything else? “It’s really fast … and fun,” said Coletti, who was undaunted in cruising through two speed phases of the rookie orientation test in the allotted 65 minutes and returning to the racetrack late in the afternoon to complete the third phase of displaying car control, placement and a consistent driving pattern.
Thirty drivers turned a total of 1,094 laps in the scheduled five-hour afternoon session cut to 2 hours, 45 minutes because of rain at the outset. Sage Karam, seeking to make his second Indianapolis 500 Mile Race start, was fastest at 225.802 mph (39.8579 seconds).
Coletti, who has competed in the five Verizon IndyCar Series road/street course races this season with a best finish of eighth in the Angie’s List Grand Prix of Indianapolis on May 9 in the No. 4 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet, had not driven on a superspeedway – or any oval – during his GP3 and GP2 series stint in Europe.
He did not participate in Opening Day on the oval May 3 – the first opportunity to test the new superspeedway aerodynamic packages from Chevrolet and Honda – because of a visa issue in Europe.
“I’ve been waiting for three months to be on this oval,” said Coletti, 26, the first native of Monaco to drive in an Indy car race since Louis Chiron competed in the 1929 Indianapolis 500. “I’ve always watched (the Indy 500) since I was a kid and I’ve always wanted to race in the ‘500.’ The atmosphere and all the people here looks incredible on TV, and being here is a dream come true."
Team co-owner Jimmy Vasser, who recorded a best finish of fourth in 1994 and 2001 in eight 500 Mile Race starts, said Coletti acquainted himself well for the first time out.
“It can be daunting, especially when it’s windy like today,” said Vasser, who gave Coletti a pat on the back following the first session. “I’m sure it’s getting his attention. He’s got a learning curve but he’s not the first guy and won’t be the last.”
Two-time Indianapolis 500 winner Arie Luyendyk offered instructions before the test and was on the pit lane stand with supplemental pointers via the radio.
“When I coach somebody it’s almost as exciting as driving yourself because it’s nice to see somebody pick up the pace quickly and pick up the lines around the track quickly,” said Luyendyk, who 25 years ago won his first Indy 500. “So far, I’m happy with the lines he’s taken because that’s really important here.”
Gabby Chaves, the 2014 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires champion who is driving the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport entry, completed his rookie orientation test May 3.
Practice is scheduled May 12 from noon-6 p.m. (ET). Watch the on-track action on RaceControl.indycar.com, which is augmented by real-time Timing & Scoring. Qualifications are May 16-17.
