Marcus Ericsson gave it all he had to defend his 2022 Indianapolis 500 victory. (Photo: Steve Conley | The Podium Finish)
SPEEDWAY, Ind. – Marcus Ericsson used a daring move in the 2022 running of the Indianapolis 500 to end up in Victory Lane. In 2023, that same move was used by eventual winner Josef Newgarden as the pair raced down the backstretch on the final lap.
This move may have never happened if Ericsson would have had his way.
An unusual span of three red flags in the final 14 laps occurred with the final red flag coming with two laps to go.
“I think it was a tough way to end the race,” Ericsson said. “I don’t really agree with how we did that. I don’t think that was a fair way to end the race.”
Ericsson was not the only one that was not overly thrilled by the red flags, as social media was quite a buzz about that decision, especially with the one with two laps to go that forced the drivers to go green right off pit road after a nearly 10 minute stoppage.
When asked about the last red flag period and exactly what he did not like about, Ericsson did not mince words.
“I think it wasn’t enough laps to go to do what we did,” he said. “I don’t think it’s safe to go out of the pits on cold tires for a restart when half the field is sort of still trying to get out on track when we go green.
“I don’t think it’s a fair way to end the race. I don’t think it’s a right way to end the race. So I can’t agree with that.”
With the disagreement with how it ended, Ericsson vented his frustrations after reflecting on his runner-up result.
“I don’t like it, but no. I won’t bother talking with Indycar about the situation,” he said.
Marcus Ericsson comes up short in repeat bid (Photo: Steve Coney | TPF)
It was a surprise to many that a red flag came out after the first big caution. However, realizing a tire had flown over the Turn 2 catchfence and into the parking lot along with Kyle Kirkwood being upside down, it was accepted a little more.
Then again, a second and then an immediate third red flag set up some unusual situations. Despite the heartbreaking result, Ericsson was proud of the effort and that he was able to put himself in position with a fast car.
The 2022 champion led 30 laps. In the end, a month worth of work came up just a few feet short. If the race concluded as it had in the past by finishing under yellow, Ericsson would have been a back-to-back Indianapolis 500 winner.
On the other hand, winner Newgarden said he had seen decisions all over the board through this series. Naturally, he is happy with the decision because he is in Victory Lane as a first-time Indianapolis 500 winner.
For Ericsson, he knows this one got away partly due to the tow and downforce on these cars that made it almost impossible to keep the lead.
“I knew for that last restart it was going to be almost impossible to keep the lead,” Ericsson said. “Like I said, I think I did a great job there on the restart of catching him by surprise and get a jump and not get overtaken into 1, because every restart it felt like P1 was going to P5 on every restart.”
