O’Ward lapped the 1.7-mile Sebring short course in 51.882s, around a quarter second faster than his new team-mate Alexander Rossi and his longer-standing team-mate Felix Rosenqvist who was a tenth further back.
All three were able to outpace Felipe Nasr, Porsche Penske Motorsport’s sportscar ace, who nonetheless did a fine job in the #2 Team Penske normally driven by Josef Newgarden.
