Simona de Silvestro is fast on 1st day of practice in St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The two title contenders from last season led the leaderboard on IndyCar's opening day of the season.

The third fastest driver was a surprise. Simona de Silvestro posted the third-fastest time of the day on the streets of St. Petersburg, right behind Will Power and defending IndyCar champion Ryan Hunter-Reay.

Hunter-Reay and Power took their championship battle to last year's season finale, with Hunter-Reay winning his first title by four points.

Power topped the leaderboard with a lap at 1:01.4467, followed by Hunter-Reay at 1:01.625 and de Silvestro at 1:01.6895. It's the Swiss driver's debut race with new team KV Racing Technology.

Oriol Servia was fourth as Chevrolet drivers took the top four spots.

Takuma Sato was fifth in a Honda for AJ Foyt Racing.