Pato O’Ward recorded the fastest time during the first day of testing at the Sebring open test. The McLaren driver was notably quicker in the morning session than his competitors in the afternoon session, where Marcus Armstrong surprisingly set the fastest time.

Since the shorter layout of the Sebring International Raceway was used for the test, the field was split in half to avoid a crowded track. Half of the field drove in the morning session, while the other half took to the track in the afternoon.

One driver participated in both sessions but in different cars: Marcus Armstrong tested his own car in the morning session and took over Felix Rosenqvist’s car in the afternoon. Rosenqvist was ill and therefore withdrew from the first day of testing. Armstrong ended up as the fastest driver in the afternoon session.

Typically, track conditions improve throughout a test day, making O’Ward’s fastest time in the morning session even more remarkable.

“Oh man, this is the best feeling in the world, the best track in the world!” O’Ward exclaimed. “I was so happy to get back in the car here at Sebring and to work with my engineers again. It really feels like home, like my second family.”

Two drivers encountered significant issues during the test. Scott Dixon managed only two laps due to a mechanical problem, while Nolan Siegel went off track at Turn 7, damaging the rear and right side of his car.

Testing will continue on Tuesday, with the test groups swapping schedules.

Full results of the morning session at Sebring
Full results of the afternoon session at Sebring