Tag: Marcus Ericsson

Final Thoughts on the 109th Indianapolis 500

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There is just no getting around it. Yesterday’s Indianapolis 500 was a strange two part race. Part 1 saw 45% of the laps run under caution. Part 2 was caution free until the second half of the last lap.

There was little passing for the lead, but the number of pit strategies scrambled the top of the field. but kept the leaders in traffic all day. Traffic played a part in the end of the race.

Teammates Devlin DeFrancesco and Louis Foster were having arguably the best battle on the track- for 14th place. Unfortunately, they were right in front of the race leaders. Yes, they have a right to stay on the lead lap, but with 10 laps to go in the race, and knowing they would get a wave around if the yellow came out, why not make them step out of the leaders’ way? It could have been a terrific three car finish between Palou, Ericsson, and Malukas.

Sometimes the 500 just produces a race that is not great. Part of it may have been the weather, but I think the hybrid and its extra weight hampered what had been a great show the last few years.

How much does it hurt to lose Indy?

I don’t know who snapped this shot, but Marcus Ericsson was despondent after the race. He told the media it was “pretty painful,” and that it would keep him up for several nights.

Ericsson went a little wide going into turn 1, and Palou was able to slip by him.

I appreciate Alex Palou drinking the milk, then triumphantly raising the bottle in tribute instead of pouring it over his head. I always thought the winner pouring the milk over his head was ridiculous. I hope Palou has started a trend to end that practice. Now if he just hadn’t kissed the bricks…

I thought yesterday’s singing of the National Anthem was the worst I have heard at the 500 since Steven Tyler sang in 2001. Natalie Grant’s version reinforced my belief that at every sporting event, the venue should just paly an instrumental recording of the anthem by the US Army Band.

The helicopters that followed the field around on the pace and parade laps were distracting and annoying. The field for the Indianapolis 500 lined up in11 rows of three in perfect formation coming to the green flag is one of the most beautiful sights in all of sports. It doesn’t need a so called “enhancement” or any additive feature at all. It stands on its own.

Rookie of the Year?

While all the rookies finished 15th or lower, Robert Shwartzman winning the pole is the thing that will get him the award. Nolan Siegel was likely in line for it until his crash on the final lap.

Practice 1 Complete- Lots of Pole Contenders, Weather Permitting

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The first practice for the Grand Prix of Alabama was another strong showing for the Andretti team, with Marcus Ericsson the fastest and Colton Herta third. Alex Palou and Team Penske are not far behind, and the way qualifying groups fall could determine how everything shakes out.

Team Penske put all three cars in the top 10. Will Power led the team in fourth.

The X factor tomorrow will be the weather. Rain is expected at times Saturday, and is likely during IndyCar qualifying.

Results

Ericsson Tops Practice

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Marcus Ericsson led morning practice as IndyCars teams prepare for this afternoon’s Firestone Grand prix of St. Petersburg qualifying. Ericsson’s lap of1:00.5151 edged Rinus VeeKay by 0,09 seconds. Ericsson set his quick time on primary tires while VeeKay was on the alternates for his best lap.

It was a very good session for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Conor Daly was fifth and Sting Ray Robb finished the session in seventh. David maluks, in his first outing for A. J. Foyt Racing, wwas 10th’

Josef newgarden was the quickest Penske driver in 14th. Will Power stalled in turn 1 early in the practice, which brought out a red flag. Scott McLaughlin ran some very cautious laps’

A second red flag just past the midway point flew because of a track surface issue in turn 12.

Each of the Andretti cars has led a practice segment the last two days.

Qualifying begins at 2:30 pm Eastern on FS1.

Results

Andretti Liveries- Something, Something New

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Andretti Global revealed their 2025 liveries yesterday. Colton Herta’s number 26 remains pretty much the same, while Kyle Kirkwood and Marcus Ericsson will sport combinations of red, white, and black. on the 27 and 28.

Auto Nation dropped its sponsorship of the 27, so Kirkwood will drive with Chili’s sponsorship. Ericsson now carries primary sponsorship from Bryant heating and Cooling, which has been an associate sponsor.

I’m glad that the cars of Kirkwood and Ericsson have different combinations of the red,white, and black. There are plenty of red and white cars on the grid already with paint schemes that are very similar.

Ericsson Fastest Overall; O’Ward Leads Morning Session

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Marcus Ericsson had the fastest overall time of the two day Sebring test session for Indycar. The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner led the final test round as 12 cars turned laps on the test’s final day. Pato O’Ward led the morning session.

Colin Braun, in his Indycar debut for Dale Coyne Racing, turned a faster lap than Jack Harvey did in the other Coyne car on Monday.

Kyffin Simpson was the fastest rookie driver, ninth overall.

Tuesday Morning Tims:

Results from Tuesday afternoon:

Overall Combined results:

Hybrid Testing Wrap-up

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If last week’s hybrid testing at IMS proved anything, is that the drivers are still uncertain how the new power tool will work during a race, how it will affect fuel mileage, and its effect on tire wear. Two of the drivers participating in the test, Marcus Ericsson and David Malukas, not only need to learn how to work the new hybrid system, but they also have the added burden of getting acquainted with new teams as well.

Ericsson and Malukas spoke to the media after the morning session on Friday.

Both drivers are excited about their new teams, and they are happy to get the opportunity to test so soon.

Ericsson likes that he is going o Andretti as a known quantity, unlike when he joined Ganassi four years ago.

Marcus Ericsson

“I hadn’t really shown what I can do (when joining Ganassi) and then now, coming from being a 500 winner, and then, winning multiple races. I think you can definitely feel that excitement from the organization and the team for me to get there and you know, I’m excited to get to get going and get working. I think, like I said, the potential is really big in the team…”

Ericsson said that the hybrid addition will keep the drivers even busier in the cockpit, but he thinks it will show which drivers really are the best.

“…on an oval you have the weight jacker, you have in front the rear bar and now you have to regen and deploy as well, so it’s getting busier in the cockpits I think that’s the biggest thing. And then we’re still working on you know, different things, which is you know, how much range and how much deploy and all that. There’s still a process that we’re going through that I think is exciting, it’s exciting, but it’s serious. It’s a really cool up here that we’re gonna have, and I’m hoping it’s gonna be a way where you can as a driver be, you know, smarter than your competitors and do it better than your competitors. “

Ericsson is thrilled that he has the opportunity to test with his new team so soon, and he hopes to get to do more testing to help him learn the team and the car.

Malukas was a bit overwhelmed at the wealth of resources he now has available at Arrow Mclaren, and he is excited to take advantage of them.

David Malukas

“I walked in and every quarter I looked around, obviously shining gold and like so many so much stuff. And you know coming in I don’t even know how to use it but thankfully they have you ever good. Everybody’s been super friendly and introducing everything to me. They can get comfortable. And specifically, Tony has been showing me the ropes. Like hey, so this is how you use this resource. This is what I think you should do and it’s really getting me comfortable and getting used to all these sporting resources.”

Like Ericsson, Malukas is excited to get some laps in the car with his new team, and he appreciates their trust in him.

“Yeah, they’re trusting me I can get the feedback and from my side, I just get to do laps and do more and more laps and at the end of the day, the more practice.”

He thinks the hybrid power system is a positive foir the series.

“I find it very good. I’ve you know been enjoying it. You know, it adds more tools for the drivers I feel like it can kind of separate you know, the drivers from the top to that the best to the worst on when it comes to hydroset. It’s another tool that you can time to regen once you deploy setup passes. I think it’s gonna have a bit of a bit of a big play here at the moment.”

Malukas isn’t sure what effect the added weight will have on tire wear. he was hoping they will get more information Friday afternoon.

” I think we’ll see by the end of today. Once we start doing a bit longer runs, being in traffic, seeing how it’s gonna play out but it all depends on when you want to use that extra power. You know, if you want to say the tire, use it on the straight, don’t use it in the corner and then it’s you know, you’re kind of saving the tire.”

There will be some more hybrid testing at different tracks before the end of the year, but testing isn’t racing. The big test will be at St. Pete in the season opener. Until then we have to wait and see.

Ericsson Joins Andretti Autosport for 2024

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One piece of the 2024 Indycar grid is in place. The release from Andretti Autosport:

INDIANAPOLIS (August 23, 2023) – Andretti Autosport announced today that Marcus Ericsson will join the team’s 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver lineup alongside confirmed teammates Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood.  

The Indianapolis 500 Champion will take on his sixth season of NTT INDYCAR SERIES competition in 2024 looking to add to his four race wins and 10 podiums. In addition to his INDYCAR success, Ericsson raced for five seasons in the FIA Formula One World Championship, has claimed Championships in both British Formula BMW and Japanese F3 and has race starts in both British F3 and Formula 2 (formerly GP2).  

The race-winning Swede heads into the final three races of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season in sixth place in the Championship standings with a win at the season opener in St. Petersburg and three podiums, including an impressive runner-up finish at the 107th Running of the Indianapolis 500. 

More information on Ericsson’s 2024 entry, including car number and partners, will be provided at a later time.  

MICHAEL ANDRETTI, CHAIRMAN AND CEO, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT 

“Like everyone else, we have paid close attention to Marcus’ success in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and have been impressed with how quickly he proved that he belonged with the frontrunners in what is arguably the most competitive INDYCAR field ever. It’s no secret that we want to win races and Championships and to do that we need drivers like Marcus who have that natural talent and determined drive. We are excited for the winning mindset that Marcus brings to the table and I’m eager to see what next season has in store for us.”  

MARCUS ERICSSON, DRIVER, ANDRETTI AUTOSPORT 

“I’m very happy and proud to be joining Andretti Autosport next season. Andretti is one of the mist legendary names in motorsports, so it is definitely a dream come true for me to join this team. I want to thank Michael and Dan [Towriss] for putting their trust in me and I can’t wait to get to know everyone in the organization. It’s a very exciting new chapter in my career and I’m really looking forward to getting to work achieving our goals together. Exciting times are ahead and I’m thankful for this opportunity.” 

Ericsson Leads Brief Rainy Practice

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Marcus Ericsson paced a shortened practice in the rain as Indycar drivers prepared for qualifying for tomorrow’s Music City Grand prix in Nashville.

Practice was on hold for 40 minures as officials swept as much water as possible from the track. Cars went out almost on lone runs, some not taking to the course until just a few minutes reamined in the shortened time.

Qualifying begins at 2:45 Eastern time

The top six:

Qualifying Groups:

Practices Complete

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The two practice sessions before today’s qualifying session are complete. In the Fast 12 practice, Rinus Veekay had what seemed to be an engine issue after turning a lap at 234.801 mph. It turned out to be a turbocharger problem.

Marcus Ericsson led the Fast 12 practie with alap of 235.692. Alwx palou, Takuma Sato, and Benjamin pedersen also had laps at 235 mph. Felix Rosenqvist was the slowest oif the greoup at 233.733 mph. Tony Kanaan did not participate in the session.

In the Last Chance practice, Christian Lundgaard was quickest qt 231.075 mph, followed by Graham Rahal and Sting Ray Robb. Both drivers were above 230 mph. Jack Harvey was slowest of the group with a lap of 230.423.

I walked around the garages this morning. The mood difference between the Foyt garage and the Rahal garages was striking. Foyt’s area was full of exuberance. Santino Ferrucci signed autographs and took pictures with fans.

In the Rahal garages the crew quietly went about their work, yet still took time to talk to fans. There was aq tone of calm urgency.