The start of the 2023 Indy 500
The ‘Month of May’ is the crown jewel of American open-wheel motorsport, bringing many of the world’s best racers to Indiana to compete in the Indy 500.
Although practice for the greatest spectacle in racing no longer starts on May 1, there are still weeks of practice leading up to the 200-lap race. So, there’s plenty of action heading your way before the race day on May 26.
Full Indy 500 schedule: How to watch in the US and the UK
The racing program at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway starts with the Indy Grand Prix, a race on the track’s infield road course. Following that, there will be four days of practice, two days of qualifying, two post-qualifying practice sessions, and ultimately, the race. During this time, drivers will also fulfill media obligations and participate in parades across the country.
Below is the complete schedule for the month of May, which includes the locations for each session and some important highlights to keep an eye out for.
TUESDAY, MAY 14
Practice sessions take precedence during the initial three days of on-track activity leading up to the Indy 500.
The duration of each of these three sessions is six hours, and typically, a few of the initial hours are set aside for novice drivers to acclimate themselves.
After only 20 minutes of on-track action, the first day of practice on May 14 was cancelled due to rain.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15
US Viewers
12-6 pm ET on Peacock
UK Viewers
5-11 pm BST on Sky Sports
THURSDAY, MAY 16
US Viewers
12-6 pm ET on Peacock
UK Viewers
5-11 pm BST on Sky Sports
FRIDAY, MAY 17
Fast Friday marks the conclusion of the initial week of Indy 500 practice.
Although this is only a practice session, teams are permitted to adjust their engines to include a high turbo boost feature, which will be utilized during the qualifying round.
Teams and drivers can now simulate the necessary high-speed performance required to set a speed record at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
US Viewers
12-6 pm ET on Peacock
UK Viewers
5-11 pm BST on Sky Sports
The conclusion of Fast Friday brings forth the qualifying draw, where drivers convene or send representatives to the base of IMS’s renowned pagoda. They partake in the process of drawing lots, which will decide the timing for their qualifying lap on the subsequent day.
Although it is not officially broadcasted, various teams, drivers, and other personnel frequently share numerous clips on social media platforms.
SATURDAY, MAY 18
A two-day qualifying session commences on the Saturday following practice.
At the start of the qualifying round, all drivers assemble in pit lane on the first day, following the order established by the draw conducted the previous evening.
Each driver is ensured the chance to establish a qualifying speed, which will be calculated based on the average speed across four laps.
In depth: IndyCar vs F1
F1 v IndyCar: Top speeds, engines, formats, calendars and safety measures all compared
Six IndyCar drivers we’d love to see racing in Formula 1
Afterwards, drivers are given a chance to try qualifying again, aiming to achieve a quicker time.
Please be aware that the qualifying session on Saturday officially establishes the starting grid positions from 13 to 30.
The top 12 drivers with the fastest speeds and, in this year’s competition, the four drivers with the slowest speeds will have the opportunity to make additional qualifying attempts on the following day.
US Viewers
Group 1 practice will be broadcasted on Peacock from 8:30 to 9 am ET.
Group 2 practice will be broadcasted on Peacock from 9 to 9:30 am ET.
The qualifying session will be aired on Peacock from 11am to 5pm ET.
UK Viewers
The qualifying rounds for Groups 1 and 2 will be broadcasted on Sky Sports Action at 1:30 pm BST.
The Qualifying session will be broadcasted on Sky Sports Action at 5 pm BST.
Sky Sports F1 continued with the qualifying session at 6:15 pm BST.
SUNDAY, MAY 19
The qualifying sessions on Sundays are referred to as Pole Day and Bump Day, respectively.
The top 12 drivers from Saturday’s qualifying session will strive to achieve the highest speed in order to secure pole position, whereas the four slowest drivers will battle to attain a lap time fast enough to secure one of the final three slots on the grid.
As a result, a driver participating in the Indy 500 will be unable to commence the race.
US Viewers
Peacock will be airing Fast 12 Practice from 12-1 pm ET.
Peacock will be broadcasting the Last Chance Qualifying / Bump Day practice from 1-2 pm ET.
From 3:05 to 4:05 pm ET, NBC will be broadcasting the Fast 12 Qualifying session, where positions 7-12 will be determined.
The Last Chance Qualifying will be aired on NBC from 4:15 to 5:15 pm ET.
The Fast Six qualifying will be aired on NBC from 5:25 pm to 5:55 pm ET.
UK Viewers
Practice will be broadcasted on Sky Sports at 7 pm BST.
The qualifying round will be broadcasted on Sky Sports at 8 pm BST.
MONDAY, MAY 20
On race day’s Monday, drivers engage in a short practice session to get their cars ready for the upcoming race.
US Viewers
Practice will be broadcasted on Peacock from 1-3 pm BST.
UK Viewers
The practice session will be broadcasted on Sky Sports at 6 pm BST.
On-track activities will not commence until Friday. Throughout this period, drivers are engaged in traveling across the United States fulfilling media obligations.
FRIDAY, MAY 24
Despite the absence of carburetors in modern cars, the tradition of referring to the Friday before the Indy 500 as Carb Day has persisted.
Instead, it functions as a concluding practice session, featuring a pit stop competition.
US Viewers
The final practice session will be broadcasted on Peacock from 11 am to 1 pm ET.
The Pit stop competition will be broadcasted on Peacock from 2:30 to 4 pm ET.
UK Viewers
The Final Practice will be aired on Sky Sports Mix at 4 pm BST.
The final practice session will be broadcasted on Sky Sports F1, starting at 6:30 pm BST.
The Pit Stop Competition will be broadcasted on Sky Sports F1 at 7:30 pm BST.
On the upcoming Saturday, drivers will partake in a ceremonial drivers’ meeting on the front stretch of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Afterward, they will proceed to embark on the customary Indy 500 parade, which will take place on the city streets.
SUNDAY, MAY 25
Finally, Sunday is race day.
At 9 am ET, cars transition to the pit lane before proceeding to the grid at 10:30. Subsequently, a substantial preamble ensues, featuring mesmerizing musical performances and introductions of the drivers, leading up to the commencement of the race.
US Viewers
The Indy 500, aired on NBC, will begin at 12:45 pm ET.
UK Viewers
The Indy 500 will be aired on Sky Sports at 5:30 pm BST.
Read next: Follow PlanetF1.com’s WhatsApp and Facebook channels for all the F1 breaking news!
