MOTORSPORT: F1 refugee’s $4m payday at Indy 500
ANZAC dreams dashed as Ericsson claims lion’s share of biggest purse in IndyCar race’s 106-year historyFormer Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson has snatched a shock victory at the Indy 500, methodically working his way forward from a lowly start position to claim an incredible win – and a first prize cheque of $US3.1 million ($A4.3m).
The likeable Swede was dumped from his Sauber F1 seat in 2018 and has found a home in the rough and tumble of IndyCar racing.
Ericsson, who races for US open-wheel stalwart Chip Ganassi, had to survive a frenetic three-lap dash to the finish, after a late crash forced officials to throw a red flag to fix a barrier.
The crash – ironically by Ericsson’s teammate, NASCAR veteran and 500 rookie Jimmie Johnson – erased a comfortable lead, resulting in what he called “the hardest 10 minutes of my life” waiting for the race to restart.
Mexican hotshoe Pato O’Ward, driving for SP Arrow McLaren, made a bold play at almost 370km/h to poach the win with a lap to go, but Ericsson – who had discussed this scenario over dinner the previous evening with former winner Dario Franchitti – held firm, claiming the biggest win of his long career.
“I knew the car was fast enough, but it was still hard,” he said afterwards. “I had to do everything to keep them behind. I can’t believe it. I’m so happy.”
O’Ward would still take home more than $US1m ($A1.4m) for second place, with the$US16m ($A22m) purse the biggest in the grand race’s 106-year history. Across the 33-car field, the average payout was $US485,000 ($A676,000).
However, no amount of prizemoney could erase the pain of defeat for New Zealander Scott Dixon. Starting his 20th Indy 500, the Kiwi absolutely dominated the race from pole, leading 98 of the 200 laps.
However, the smallest of mistakes entering the pits for his final stop resulted in a drive-through penalty for the six-time champion and former Indy 500 winner, taking him out of contention for the biggest win of the IndyCar season.
“That’s on me,” admitted Dixon of the pit lane speeding infraction, his anguish clear to see.
It was a similar story of heartbreak for former Supercars champion Scott McLaughlin, who overcame a lowly start position to be within striking distance of a top-five result in just his second Indy 500 start.
It was not to be, after a vicious crash late in the race from 10th place put him out. The young Kiwi was shaken and bruised but otherwise OK.
His teammate, Toowoomba native and IndyCar ace Will Power, got to the finish intact, but a lowly 15th place wasn’t the result the dominant Penske Racing outfit was hoping for.
“It was a long day,” remarked Power, who drunk the winner’s milk in 2018.
Related: MOTORSPORT: McLaughlin to miss Bathurst 1000
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