Alex Palou and Alexander Rossi tested IndyCar's new 2028 chassis at Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course and left impressed. Both drivers took the car around the 2.439-mile, 14-turn layout and came back with positive feedback on the new machinery.
The test marks the first real-world evaluation of the next-generation IndyCar that teams and drivers will campaign starting in 2028. Getting early impressions from established names like Palou and Rossi matters. Palou won the 2021 IndyCar championship and has been among the series' top competitors. Rossi brings years of experience across open-wheel racing.
What they thought of the handling, power delivery, and overall feel of the 2028 car will help shape how seriously teams and the IndyCar organization take the design going forward. Positive initial feedback from respected drivers rarely happens by accident. It suggests the engineering team landed closer to right than wrong on the first major test outing.
No specific details emerged about what impressed them or what might need adjustments before the cars actually race. But for a first test, two thumbs up from your veteran drivers is the baseline any series wants to hit.