As the second Swede after Kenny Bräck in 1999, Marcus Ericsson won the legendary Indianapolis 500.
The 31-year-old former Formula 1 driver only took the lead in the final phase, which was characterized by a restart four laps before the end after a red flag, at the 106th edition of the automobile classic.
“I can hardly believe it,” said Ericsson, who took to the oval track for the renowned Chip Ganassi team.
The podium was completed by second-placed Mexican Pato O’Ward and Brazilian Tony Kanaan. Ericsson and O’Ward fought a thrilling wheel-to-wheel duel on the final lap.
New Zealand’s Scott Dixon, who had started the race from pole position, lost his chances of winning due to a penalty. He received this because he drove into the pits too early.
Former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean, who competed in the Indy 500 for the first time, retired after an accident shortly after half of the race when he touched the boundary wall.
“The car turned, I don’t know why. There were no warnings beforehand,” said the Frenchman after his early retirement.
