In 2021, Will Power (Team Penske) touched the winner’s cup at the Detroit Grand Prix, but his mechanics dropped him before a restart, causing anger for the 2014 IndyCar champion. , the Australian exulted, with joy this time.
RETWEET to congratulate @12WillPower on winning the FINAL @DetroitGP at Belle Isle! #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/OCrEpV0MMb
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 5, 2022
Extremely consistent (he held the championship lead before the Indianapolis 500), Will Power had curiously not won any races in 2022, until this round on the bumpy Belle Isle circuit on Sunday June 5.
Starting from 16th place following a failed qualification the day before, Will Power played a gamble by opting for a two-stop pit strategy, where other competitors preferred a three-pit-stop strategy, such as Alexander Rossi (Andretti).
Back in the lead group thanks to a first stint with hard tyres, Will Power extended his intermediate stint as much as possible, allowing him to put on his final set of soft tires with a margin of 16 seconds with 20 laps to go.
However, his direct pursuer Alexander Rossi was equipped for his part with hard envelopes, capable of going to the finish line without having to undergo advanced tire degradation. The distance duel lasted until the last lap, where Will Power maintained a minimal lead (1 second) but sufficient to sign his third success in Detroit and regain the lead in the general classification.
Officialized at Arrow McLaren SP for the 2023 season, Alexander Rossi is back in the saddle with this podium, he who had not yet tasted a podium since Portland last fall. Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) finished third, ahead of poleman Josef Newgarden (Team Penske), who started the event on soft tyres.
READ ALSO> Alexander Rossi transferred to Arrow McLaren SP
A second time, Simon Pagenaud (Meyer Shank Racing) had to settle for seventh position, and not ninth as it is written on the classification. Colton Herta (Andretti) and Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) overtook him under yellow flag on the last lap. The Frenchman lost ground with an identical two-pit-stop tactic to Newgarden and Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren SP, 5th), but the final laps were too much for his tires.
Superb weekend for the team with in particular super qualifying for Helio and me in 2nd place on the grid. We have small technical problems halfway through the race but I am proud of the team for this nice 7th place in the end. We are improving every weekend!
— Simon Pagenaud (@simonpagenaud) June 5, 2022
Injured in qualifying, Romain Grosjean (Andretti) was never in the right rhythm and reached the finish in an anonymous 17th place. Scott McLaughlin (Team Penske) goes on blunders. For the third time this year, the former Australian Supercars champion made a driving error and finished 19th. Starting fourth, Hélio Castroneves (Meyer Shank Racing) retired with an electrical problem.
Trouble for McLaughlin!
Scott McLaughlin loses precious time after locking up and going into the runoff area, then hitting the wall.
????: @USA_Network & @PeacockTV
????: https://t.co/phFZ7avkE1 pic.twitter.com/k05uE1D7D9— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) June 5, 2022
IndyCar Grand Prix of Detroit 2022 – Standings:
Drivers Championship:
