IndyCar's hybrid system is creating new challenges at St. Petersburg's Turn 3, with drivers experiencing increased difficulty due to the additional 100-plus pounds of energy recovery system weight behind the engines. Multiple incidents during Friday's opening practice highlighted these challenges.

Meyer Shank Racing's Felix Rosenqvist and Marcus Armstrong both experienced spins without damage, while Team Penske's Scott McLaughlin suffered minor left-front suspension and bodywork damage after contact with the outside wall at Turn 3.

Conor Daly of Juncos Hollinger Racing attributes the challenges to mechanical weight shift, noting how the added weight creates a new dynamic that tests both cars and drivers in unprecedented ways.

Rosenqvist emphasizes that the traditionally flat-out Turn 3 now requires more attention and possibly lifting off the throttle, effectively adding "an extra corner" to the track. The green track conditions in Practice 1 further complicated matters.

Marcus Armstrong raises concerns about race day conditions, particularly when cars exit the pits with full fuel loads and cold tires. Despite teams maintaining appropriate ride heights for street circuits, Turn 3 remains particularly challenging, with the combination of fuel loads, tire pressures, and the hybrid system's weight creating potentially hazardous situations.

The hybrid configuration has fundamentally changed how drivers approach this section of the track, transforming what was once a straightforward portion into a more technical challenge requiring increased awareness and precision.

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