Indy 500 – Alexander Rossi surprising winner

The victory over the 100th edition of the Indianapolis 500 was desired, and this meeting finally smiled on an outsider in the person of Alexander Red. The American Andretti-Herta – Honda driver came to win ahead of all the favorites at the end of a race with an unexpected final scenario.

The first part of the event was dominated for a long time by SPM – Honda, Andretti Autosport – Honda and Ed Carpenter Racing – Chevrolet with James Hinchclifffe, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Townsend Bell and Josef Newgarden.

The four drivers exchanged the lead in the standings for several laps, going through racing incidents, the main victims of which were Juan Pablo Montoya (Team Penske – Chevrolet) made a mistake alone on the 64th lap, or Mikhail Aleshin (SPM – Honda).

The leading quartet will, however, be cut off by Andretti drivers Hunter-Reay and Bell, who made contact in the pit lane, after a first touch of Castroneves on Bell, who was then unable to avoid his teammate.

If Alexander Rossi and Alex Tagliani (A.J. Foyt Enterprises – Honda) briefly occupied the lead of the race immediately, Helio Castroneves (Team Penske – Chevrolet) and Tony Kanaan (Chip Ganassi Racing – Chevrolet) took control of the event before the first city lost any chance of victory after a slight contact with JR Hildebrand (Ed Carpenter Racing – Chevrolet), damaging the rear part of the car Penske.

Kanaan seemed in a strong position in the final laps, but was forced to make a final pit stop, as were Josef Newgarden and Carlos Munoz (Andretti Autosport – Honda). A save that Alexander Rossi will not make, who had chosen to try his luck until the end.

A bet that paid off for the former GP2 Series resident who won ahead of Munoz, Newgarden and Kanaan and becomes the first rookie to win the Indy 500 since Helio Castroneves in 2001. Charlie Kimball (Chip Ganassi Racing – Chevrolet) leads Hildebrand and Hinchcliffe while defending champion Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing – Chevrolet) precedes Sébastien Bourdais (KVSH Racing – Chevrolet) and Will Power (Team Penske – Chevrolet) who completes the top 10.

Helio Castroneves finished in 11th place ahead of Oriol Servia (SPM – Honda). simon pagenaud (Team Penske – Chevrolet) finished 19th after being notably penalized for a dangerous return to action in the stands.

Race results

Find the full report and analysis of the Indianapolis 500, produced by our special correspondent in Indiana, in AUTO issue 2065hebdo, available from tomorrow evening at 22 p.m. in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.