A controversial call to restart the Indianapolis 500 in unprecedented circumstances has drawn support from one of IndyCar’s most respected names.
Marcus Ericsson lashed race organisers after a decision was made to send the cars out from pit lane and restart the race on the next lap.
Typically, in those circumstances, cars would leave the pit lane and complete a full warm-up lap before taking the green flag the next time around.
Stan Sport is the only place to watch the 2023 IndyCar Series, featuring Will Power, Scott McLaughlin and Scott Dixon. All the action streaming ad free, live and on demand
However, with only two laps left, an immediate restart meant the Indianapolis 500 could be decided with a one-lap dash.
Ericsson, who led when a record third red flag was drawn, said the race should have finished under yellow and labelled the decision “unfair and dangerous”.
That would have meant he was crowned the winner. Instead, Josef Newgarden passed him in a thrilling final lap fight to clinch victory by 0.09s at the line.
EXCLUSIVE: Lockyer lifts lid on ominous ‘omen’ after training disaster
READ MORE: Another premiership star set to leave Panthers
READ MORE: Clarkson, Fagan cleared as AFL wraps up Hawks probe
“I think it wasn’t enough laps to go to do what we did,” said Ericsson.
“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.”
However, IndyCar Series veteran Tony Kanaan said the right call was made.
Kanaan famously won the 2013 Indianapolis 500 when Dario Franchitti crashed with three laps to go to bring out the yellow flag, the race finishing under the control of the safety car.
In the event’s 111-year history, red flag stoppages for racing incidents have been a rare thing. This year’s race saw a record three red flags, all coming in the final 15 laps.
In recent years, IndyCar has made its best efforts to finish the Indianapolis 500 under green flag conditions.
The 2022 edition was red flagged when Jimmie Johnson crashed with six laps to go, setting up a four-lap dash to the flag in which Ericsson held off McLaren’s Pato O’Ward.
“You know, it’s funny because obviously like you have guys like Santino (Ferrucci) and Marcus that are mad, and you have Josef that’s happy – but we need to think about the show,” said Kanaan, who finished 16th with McLaren.
“The biggest complaint we have every year was we shouldn’t finish a race under the yellow. That’s going to hurt someone. Actually, 32 guys are pissed right now and one guy is happy. That’s the reality.
“Could they have called it earlier? Yes. Could have, should have, would have, but we ended under green, and that’s what the fans kept asking us every time.
“I won under yellow, and everybody hated it at some point. Easy for me to say because I’m not in his shoes.”
Santino Ferrucci, who finished third in the race for AJ Foyt Racing and just half a second off of the leaders, echoed that sentiment.
“I don’t mind what IndyCar did,” said Ferrucci.
“I think they did a great job. I agree with (Kanaan), to the fans, and I said that earlier when someone asked me what I thought of the reds. It’s just I think Marcus has a slightly different opinion which is totally cool because he finished second.
“Sitting there third is tough because I’m sure you’ve sat in that position before, there is nothing you can do other than watch. We had such a great day. That’s where the bittersweet is. I’m very happy for the boys.
Kanaan added, “I mean, look at this place. Do we really want to finish under yellow with all those people out there? For me, it was the right call.”
Kanaan and Furrucci both dismissed suggestions drivers were being “too risky” after three large accidents towards the end.
“It’s the Indy 500, come on,” said the 2004 IndyCar champion.
“We’ve got to leave it out there. Every red flag, everybody goes, ‘I’m going to pass everybody’. It’s tough to pass. It’s the toughest field, the tightest field we ever had here.
“It was going to happen. We knew it was going to happen. I wouldn’t want it any different. We left it all out there. Everybody that was out left it out.”
The IndyCar Series continues on June 5 with the Detroit Grand Prix at its new downtown street circuit.
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Alex Palou leads the series from Ericsson and O’Ward.
For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!
