Indy 500 shaken up by disqualifications
Three cars have been disqualified from the 109th Indianapolis 500 a day later due to technical inspections.
Runner-up Marcus Ericsson, plus sixth place finisher Kyle Kirkwood and 12th placed Callum Illott were all rubbed out.
In addition to being rubbed out of the biggest race of the year, the teams have lost prize money, points and a fine of $100,000 USD, plus the absence of a team manager at this weekend’s Detroit Grand Prix.
With Ericsson, who fell six tenths short of victory disqualified, the top three now includes David Malukas and Pato O’Ward.
The #27 and #28 Andretti Global teammates of Ericsson and Kirkwood were discovered to have modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts.
They violated rules 9.3.1, 14.1.2 and 14.1.3 in all.
Illott’s Team Prema entry failed a routine inspection of the front wing assembly where it did not meet the minimum endplate height and location specification.
They violated rules 9.3.1, 14.7.6.4 and 14.7.6.4.
Andretti Global has stated its intention of a review.
“We are in receipt of the Indianapolis 500 post-race penalty notice as provided by IndyCar. We are taking the necessary tome to assess the information and we will be requesting a full review with IndyCar,” a team statement read.
Team Prema has also released a statement stating it “accepts full responsibility.”
“Following the Indy 500, the #90 PREMA car driven home in P12 by Callum Ilott was found in breach of the technical regulations due to a front wing endplate not meeting the minimum height. As a consequence, the team was disqualified from the race and received accessory sanctions,” a statement read.
“While the same wing was completely original, successfully passed tech multiple times throughout the month, and the issue didn’t lead to any performance gain, the car ended up being non compliant with the rules at the end of the race, so the team accepts full responsibility.
“The team is currently investigating the root of the problem, which can involve incidents and fitment or production issues. We look forward to implementing the needed procedures to ensure improved control and avoid these kinds of issues in the future.”
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