The Colombian driver Juan Pablo Montoya gave a driving class this Sunday in the Indianapolis 500 Miles, in the style of its best times in the category.
After having left in 30th place, at 46 years old and without taking part in all the IndyCar races, he moved up 18 positions to finish in 11th placevery close to top-10 of the competition.
The edition 106 of the 500 Miles was disputed in the mythical layout of the Indianapolis Motor Speedaway
Montoya, double champion of the test (2000 and 2015)was aboard the Chevrolet Arrow McLaren SP wearing the number 6, and went out in search of the Borg Warner trophy, which is celebrated with the traditional bottle of milk.
The Colombian He arrived as part of the select group of eight current winners of the famous competition, the jewel in the crown of North American motorsports, along with Scott Dixon, Tony Kanaan, Simon Pagenaud, Will Power, Josef Newgarden and reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou.
Unfortunately during Saturday’s qualifying that would have allowed Montoya to start later on the starting grid, he had the car set up to go looking for pole, but he had to go looking for it in last place and at that moment the track was very different from what he had planned in the car.
However, he had a solid and consistent race that allowed him to make up places with his skill and through the team’s strategy during the pit stops.
During the 200 laps that the race lasted, patience was one of his virtues and in the end, although he did not win, he was recognized by the specialized press, who even described him as one of the best drivers on the planet and a legend.
The Ministry of Sport He also highlighted what the Colombian had done: “Experience and professionalism. That was the lesson Juan Pablo Montoya gave today at the Indianapolis 500. The driver finished in 11th place, after an exciting comeback from 30th place. Great job!”
Chip Ganassi won again
Like 22 years ago, when Montoya achieved his first 500 Miles with the scarlet team of Chip Ganassi Racing, this time it was Swedish Marcus Ericsson’s turn, who with the same team was able to drink the winner’s milk when crossing the finish line ahead of Mexican Patricio ‘Pato’ O’Ward (Arrow McLaren SP) and Brazilian Tony Kanaan, his teammate.
Ericsson, who was in the Formula One between 2014 and 2018 with Catherham and Sauber, won the Indy 500 in his fourth start in a race that went down to the last four of 200 laps at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He becomes the second Swede to win this legendary race after Kenny Brack’s victory in 1999.
The Scandinavian He took advantage of a penalty for speeding in the pit area of the author of the ‘pole’, the New Zealander Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing), who this Sunday had dominated a good part of the race together with Pato O’Ward.
With four turns to go Ericsson He took the lead, but his victory was compromised when the race was neutralized due to an accident by American rookie Jimmie Johnson, also of the Chip Ganassi Racing team.
After 196 laps the race was relaunched with just four left. On the short restart, the 31-year-old Ericsson stayed in the lead to claim the biggest of his victories as a professional driver.