Marcus Ericsson of Andretti Global earned a front-row starting position for the 2026 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg by qualifying second. The Swedish driver views this season as a crucial comeback after facing challenges in 2025, aiming to build on his previous successes at this venue and beyond.
St. Petersburg’s streets will see Marcus Ericsson begin the race alongside Daniel Palou and rookie Dennis Hauger, emphasizing Honda’s strong presence and performance during qualifying.
Rising Talent Dennis Hauger Impresses in First IndyCar Qualifying
In his first-ever IndyCar qualifying, rookie Dennis Hauger delivered a remarkable performance by securing third place behind Ericsson and the pole-sitter. Piloting the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda, the 2025 INDY NXT champion narrowly missed the pole by just three hundredths of a second, signaling a promising start to his top-tier career.
Hauger’s impressive debut reflects both his talent and the strong effort from his team, setting high expectations for his first race in the series.
Top Competitors and Honda’s Dominance in Qualifying Round
Alex Palou, the reigning four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion and Chip Ganassi Racing driver, will line up fourth after a solid qualifying effort. Palou famously won last year’s St. Petersburg race starting from eighth, launching a dominant campaign that included eight victories and another Indy 500 title.
Romain Grosjean, Hauger’s teammate at Dale Coyne Racing, also reached the Firestone Fast Six, marking a significant achievement for the team, with two cars advancing to the final qualifying round for the first time since Detroit in 2022.
Other Honda-powered drivers in the top 10 include Marcus Armstrong in seventh, Louis Foster – the 2025 Rookie of the Year – in ninth, and Kyffin Simpson starting tenth, illustrating Honda’s continuing strong hold on the event.
Detailed St. Petersburg Qualifying Results Featuring Honda Drivers
The Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg qualification session placed several Honda drivers prominently:
- Marcus Ericsson – 2nd
- Dennis Hauger (Rookie) – 3rd
- Alex Palou – 4th
- Romain Grosjean – 6th
- Marcus Armstrong – 7th
- Louis Foster – 9th
- Kyffin Simpson – 10th
- Felix Rosenqvist – 11th
- Will Power – 13th
- Kyle Kirkwood – 15th
- Scott Dixon – 16th
- Graham Rahal – 18th
- Mick Schumacher (Rookie) – 21st
The strong presence of Honda-powered cars in qualifying underscores the brand’s competitive edge across the field.
Voices from the Track: Drivers Reflect on Qualifying Performances
Marcus Ericsson expressed satisfaction with the team’s work and his qualifying achievement at a favored venue:
I’ve worked really hard this off-season. The whole #28 Honda crew has put in the hours and we’ve had a really good pre-season. To come to St. Pete—one of my favorite places on the calendar—and kick it off with a qualifying performance like this and be starting from the first row tomorrow feels great. The team did a great job, Honda did a great job as usual, and we have all the power we need to go win tomorrow.
?Marcus Ericsson, Andretti Global Honda driver
Dennis Hauger shared excitement about his near-pole position in debut qualifying:
Can’t ask for much more in my first qualifying session! I mean, it could have been pole—we were only three hundredths off so it was pretty close—but I’m super happy. The team did an amazing job. I think we started a bit on the back foot, but we really turned it around. I felt pretty good in the first run and then we just kept the momentum going from there.
?Dennis Hauger, Dale Coyne Racing Honda rookie
Romain Grosjean highlighted the team’s progress and his return to top qualifying groups:
This is awesome for Dale Coyne Racing, for Dennis, and for myself. We had a good pre-season test, and this has been a strong weekend for us so far. We’ve been working with Honda and getting the most out of the car and the data that we have. I’m happy, it’s great to be back in the Fast Six in my return to IndyCar.
?Romain Grosjean, Dale Coyne Racing Honda driver
Honda’s Historic Performance and Record at St. Petersburg
Honda-powered drivers boast an impressive track record at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, winning 12 of the 21 races since the event’s 2005 revival. Notable moments include the 2005 sweep led by Dan Wheldon with Andretti Green Racing and the 2025 1-2 finish by Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, both Honda-powered.
Past winners powered by Honda on the St. Pete circuit also include Marcus Ericsson (2023), Colton Herta (2021), Sebastian Bourdais (2017, 2018), Dario Franchitti (2011), Will Power (2010), Ryan Briscoe (2009), Graham Rahal (2008), and Helio Castroneves (2006, 2007), demonstrating Honda’s longstanding dominance on this street course.
Broadcast Information for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
The race will be televised live on Fox starting at 12:00 PM ET on Sunday, with comprehensive coverage from start to finish. Fans can also listen to the broadcast on the INDYCAR Radio Network and SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation (Channel 160), keeping viewers and listeners connected to the action from the streets of St. Petersburg.
Looking Ahead: Anticipation Builds for the Season Opener
Marcus Ericsson’s front-row start at St. Pete signals a strong beginning for Andretti Global and Honda in 2026. With rookie Dennis Hauger impressing in his debut and several Honda drivers occupying key grid positions, the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg promises an exciting and competitive race. This event will set the tone for the season, offering a glimpse into which drivers and teams have optimized their preparations during the off-season as they strive for victories and championship glory.
