How to watch the IndyCar and WEC season-openers this weekend

The off-season ends this week as two major racing series fire back to life.

The new IndyCar season will begin once again on the streets of St Petersburg in Florida. Qualifying takes place on Saturday and the race is on Sunday. The American series has moved to a different television network in its home country.

Ganassi driver Alex Palou heads into the new season aiming to continue asserting his authority on the highly competitive series. He is seeking his third championship in a row and fourth in the last five years.

Among those out to stop him are Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who claimed his second Indianapolis 500 victory last year. He was first to the chequered flag in the season-opener 12 months ago but did not keep the win. Newgarden and team mate Scott McLaughlin were disqualified six weeks later for using their push-to-pass systems at times when it should have been deactivated.

By the time the IndyCar drivers head out to qualify, the new World Endurance Championship will already have completed its first race, which is the second-longest on its calendar. The Qatar 1,812km, which took almost 10 hours to complete last year, will take place on Friday.

The main change among the Hypercar runners this year is the arrival of the new, two-car entry for Aston Martin. Its two Valkyries are run by Heart of Racing.

Here’s when to catch the key action in both series.

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IndyCar

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• Andretti confirms he’s stepping down in charge of racing team
• Ilott gets first seat in Prema’s new IndyCar team
• Palou clinches third IndyCar title as Herta passes O’Ward to win finale
• Kirkwood takes pole for finale, Palou only 24th after penalty

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