Miserable for Rosenqvist in California.
Foto: THURMAN JAMES/CSM/SHUTTERSTOCK / THURMAN JAMES/CSM/SHUTTERSTOCK SHUTTERSTOCK
Miserable for Ericsson in California.
Foto: JEREMY HOGAN/SOPA IMAGES/SHUTTER / SHUTTERSTOCK EDITORIAL/IBL
It was a dramatic finish to the evening’s race as Marcus Armstrong prompted a yellow flag, the beginning discipline was regrouped and let go together with 16 laps to go. Then Marcus Ericsson was in 14th place, Felix Rosenqvist in fifteenth place and Linus Lundqvist in twentieth place.
Dane Christian Lundgaard even managed to fly his automotive when he went incorrect within the notorious “corkscrew” curve.
Then there was a yellow flag once more with 13 laps to go, then Ericsson was eleventh, Rosenqvist twelveth and Lundqvist in seventeenth place.
After which there was one other blow on the 87th lap, when Kyffin Simson suffered a puncture, misplaced management of his automotive and was hit by Graham Rahal, who had no likelihood to steer away.
The ultimate restart got here with 4 laps to go and Alex Palou was quickest in one other restart and confirmed his grasp class all the way in which to the end line.
Ultimately, Marcus completed tenth within the race. The place earlier than Felix. Linus got here in seventeenth.
What initially seemed promising for the Swedish facet turned out to be no success.
Rosenqvist confirmed high class within the qualifier
Felix Rosenqvist was in beginning place three. Marcus Ericsson failed in qualifying (18), however made a great first pit cease and gained a number of locations.
In that state of affairs, it seemed like we’d see a Swede on the rostrum and one other up excessive.
However on the twenty seventh of 95 laps on the Laguna Seca observe in Monterey, California, you would say that the Swedes’ hopes for a great evening had been actually dashed.
On that lap, each Felix and Marcus managed to make errors and find yourself off the observe and lose vital positions. Had Marcus not made that mistake, he may have completed within the high 5.
Linus Lundqvist made it much more so when he by accident touched one among his mechanics within the pit and the Swedish rookie obtained a penalty – an additional flip into the pit.
No, it was not a great night for the Swedes.
Robust additionally for Colton Herta to be second after one other good race.
– We did a great job, we had good velocity, it sucks to not win, however now we have to be happy with second place right this moment, he mentioned in a tv interview.
Ericsson solely third in his staff
However right here we even have an issue for Marcus Ericsson:
Proper now he’s solely third in his staff.
Marcus was thus no higher than 18th within the beginning discipline at Laguna Seca, whereas his two stablemates Kirkwood and Herta had been on the high.
And sadly, for Ericson, this has been a sample this season. His younger American stablemates have merely been quicker.
Each Kirkwood and Herta have certified higher than Ericsson.
They’ve additionally each completed within the high ten seven occasions this season. In comparison with Ericsson, which was within the high ten “solely” 4 occasions.
9 races stay this season and there’s no doubt that Marcus Ericsson must step up. Though there are small margins in each qualifying and the race, the primary drivers you might be in comparison with are all the time your individual stablemates.
Then many drivers – and groups – have to step up.
As a result of much more exceptional midway by means of the season is how dominant the highest two groups are. Group Penske and Chip Ganassi have gained all however one race this season and McLaren gained the opener solely after Group Penske’s drivers had been washed up. Alexander Rossi was within the lead throughout components of the evening’s race, however was unable to remain on the high.
Now there’s a two-week break till the following race, after which the brand new hybrid engines will probably be launched in the course of the season.
As I mentioned, Alex Palou is the brand new first general, 23 factors forward of Will Energy.
Marcus’ teammates Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood are fourth and fifth.
Felix Rosenqvist is one of the best Swede in tenth place, 26 factors forward of Marcus Ericsson in thirteenth place.