Trending Now - Alex Palou Wins Grand Prix of St. Petersburg With Dominance

WHO:

Alex Palou, driver for Chip Ganassi Racing

Scott McLaughlin, driver for Team Penske

Christian Lundgaard, driver for Arrow McLaren

Kyle Kirkwood, driver for Andretti Global

Pato O'Ward, driver for Arrow McLaren

Marcus Ericsson, driver for Team Penske

Josef Newgarden, driver for Team Penske

Romain Grosjean, driver for Dale Coyne Racing

Rinus VeeKay, driver for Juncos Hollinger Racing

Dennis Hauger, rookie driver for Dale Coyne Racing

Will Power, driver for Team Penske

Sting Ray Robb, driver for Juncos Hollinger Racing

Santino Ferrucci, driver for AJ Foyt Racing

Mick Schumacher, rookie driver for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing

David Malukas, driver for Dale Coyne Racing

Jonathan Diuguid, race strategist for Josef Newgarden

WHAT:

Alex Palou won the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on March 3, 2026.

Palou started the race in fourth position and led 59 of the 100 laps.

He finished 12.4948 seconds ahead of Scott McLaughlin.

McLaughlin led for 34 laps before finishing second.

Christian Lundgaard finished third after starting in 12th position.

Kyle Kirkwood started 15th and finished fourth.

Pato O'Ward finished fifth.

Josef Newgarden moved from 23rd to seventh place.

The race featured a total of 100 laps on a 1.8-mile, 14-turn temporary street circuit.

WHERE:

The event took place at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Florida.

WHEN:

The race occurred on March 3, 2026.

Will Power's 45th birthday was on March 1, 2026.

WHY:

Palou's victory was attributed to an effective pit strategy and tire management.

Newgarden's performance was aided by an extra set of new Firestone alternate tires due to his poor qualifying position.

HOW:

Palou utilized an early overcut during pit stops to gain a significant lead.

Newgarden executed a successful tire strategy and had excellent pit stops, which he described as "the best I’ve seen in years."

Alex Palou clinched victory at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg today, leading 59 of the 100 laps and finishing 12.5 seconds ahead of Scott McLaughlin, who had a strong performance of his own by leading for 34 laps before taking second place. Christian Lundgaard rounded out the podium in third after starting in 12th, while Josef Newgarden made an impressive climb from 23rd to seventh, thanks in part to a strategic tire strategy. The race showcased thrilling competition on a 1.8-mile street circuit in Florida, with Palou's win attributed to his effective pit strategy and tire management.