Indy 500 runner-up Marcus Ericsson stripped of finish after car fails inspection
Andretti Global teammates Marcus Ericsson and Kyle Kirkwood faced disappointment after their cars failed post-race technical inspection at the Indianapolis 500. Ericsson, who initially finished in second place behind race winner Alex Palou, was penalized and moved to the rear of the 33-car field. This demotion cost him his runner-up finish and dropped him to 31st place in the final standings. Similarly, Kirkwood, who crossed the finish line in sixth place, was also penalized and moved to 32nd place.
The modifications made by Andretti Global to the Energy Management System covers provided by Dallara, the chassis supplier for the series, violated the rulebook, which stipulates that these parts must be used as supplied. As a result of their penalty, both drivers lost their prize money and championship points from their original finishes. Instead, they will receive the money and points associated with their penalized positions.
In addition to the financial repercussions, each team was fined $100,000, and their competition managers were suspended for the upcoming race in Detroit. The disqualifications also altered the podium finishing order, with David Malukas of A.J. Foyt Racing moving up to second place and Pato O’Ward of Arrow McLaren advancing to third. This marked a significant milestone for the Foyt team, achieving their best Indy 500 finish in 25 years.
Furthermore, the No. 90 car of Callum Ilott from Prema Racing also failed post-race technical inspection for not meeting the minimum endplate height and location specifications. Consequently, Ilott was demoted to last place in the final standings.
The costly penalties incurred by Andretti Global at the prestigious event had significant financial implications, as the Indy 500 purse this year amounted to a record $20,283,000. Winner Alex Palou was set to receive $3.8 million, while Ericsson and Kirkwood’s penalized finishes resulted in reduced earnings of $610,500 and $607,500, respectively.
Despite the setbacks, both Ericsson and Kirkwood remained optimistic about the future, emphasizing their team’s commitment to integrity and sportsmanship. They expressed their intention to learn from the experience and strive to perform better in upcoming races.
In conclusion, the post-race technical infractions at the Indianapolis 500 reshaped the final standings and highlighted the importance of compliance with regulations in motorsport. The penalties imposed on Andretti Global and Prema Racing underscored the significance of upholding the integrity and fairness of competitive racing.
