Daily English Article — May 19, 2026

The opening round of qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500 has concluded, establishing the 12 drivers who will compete for pole position while locking in grid positions 13 through 33. The Fast 12 features a strong mix of experience and emerging talent, including defending champion Alex Palou, 2016 winner Alexander Rossi, and 2008 winner Scott Dixon. Rookies Caio Collet and Kyffin Simpson also secured their place in the top-12 shootout, underscoring the competitive depth of this year's field.

Among those whose grid positions were locked in, former IndyCar champion Takuma Sato secured 13th place with a four-lap average of 230.995mph. Team owner and three-time pole-sitter Ed Carpenter finished 14th, expressing frustration over understeer issues in Turn 2 that forced him to lift. Four-time Indy 500 winner Helio Castroneves slotted into 15th, while Marcus Ericsson, the 2022 champion, could only manage 18th despite expectations of a stronger performance.

Perhaps the most notable surprise of the session was the disappointing run by two-time defending Indy 500 champion Josef Newgarden. Despite his recent dominance of the race, Newgarden could only manage 24th place with an average speed of 230.165mph, struggling significantly compared to his Team Penske teammates David Malukas and Scott McLaughlin, both of whom advanced into the Fast 12. The result raised immediate questions about the setup of his #2 Chevrolet.

Further down the order, Mick Schumacher qualified 28th in his #47 Honda on his debut attempt at the Indianapolis 500, leading Row 10. Fellow rookies Dennis Hauger and Jacob Abel also secured their spots, with Hauger set to start from the last row. Graham Rahal, Jack Harvey, and Romain Grosjean all found themselves outside the top 12, reflecting how tightly competitive the midfield has become in this year's qualifying sessions.

The Fast 12 shootout will determine the top positions on the starting grid, including the coveted pole position. The session highlights how unpredictable Indianapolis qualifying can be, with established champions failing to replicate their race-day form during time trials. As teams make final setup adjustments ahead of race day, the results from this opening qualifying round will fuel considerable strategic discussion throughout the paddock in the days ahead.

Nearly a decade after the release of Titanfall 2, fans of the beloved franchise remain without a proper sequel. Developer Respawn has instead focused on Apex Legends, a battle royale spinoff that achieved enormous commercial success but omitted the giant mech gameplay that defined the original series. Now, 1047 Games, the studio behind the Splitgate franchise, is reportedly developing a spiritual successor to Titanfall called Empulse, according to pre-alpha footage obtained by journalist Tom Henderson of Insider-Gaming.

The footage Henderson reviewed depicts a team deathmatch mode incorporating several mechanics that will feel instantly recognizable to Titanfall veterans. These include wall running, grappling hooks, and, most significantly, giant mech companions that players can pilot during matches. Rather than being tied to a single player, the mechs are distributed across the map, allowing any player to commandeer one and deliver devastating firepower against opponents. The description suggests a fast-paced, high-mobility experience consistent with what made Titanfall popular.

The project aligns with statements made earlier this year by 1047 Games CEO Ian Proulx, who acknowledged that a portion of his team had begun developing a new game alongside Splitgate. Proulx specifically invited fans of Titanfall and Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 to share their feedback, signaling the new title's intended audience clearly. The revelation of Empulse appears to be the formal manifestation of that initiative, though the game remains in very early development.

Proulx has not been without controversy. At a Summer Games Fest appearance, he publicly criticized Call of Duty and wore a provocative 'MAKE FPS GREAT AGAIN' hat, a stunt widely regarded as a crass publicity grab. His attempts to prolong the resulting controversy did little to endear him to the broader gaming community. Meanwhile, Splitgate 2 has experienced a turbulent release marked by instability and criticism, reflecting broader frustrations with live-service gaming models that many players feel prioritize monetization over quality.

Whether Empulse can transcend the baggage associated with both its developer and the Titanfall brand remains an open question. The game has the potential to serve as a genuine redemption arc for 1047 Games and as a satisfying alternative for fans who have long felt abandoned by Respawn. However, given the rocky histories of both Splitgate and the Titanfall franchise, optimism must be tempered with caution. The gaming industry will be watching closely to see whether Proulx and his team can deliver on what is, for now, a very promising premise.