Indy 500 – Takuma Sato winner

Takuma Sato enters the Indy 500 winner's circle by winning the 101st edition. The Honda-powered Japanese took the lead over Helio Castroneves (Team Penske) in the final laps and placed himself out of reach of the Brazilian. The Japanese driver had already had opportunities to win in the biggest American race, but this is only his second victory in IndyCar after a first success in 2013. He became the first Japanese to win this event at the end of his 8th entry.

“Helio was very clean on the track. I knew what he was doing on the track and I didn't feel in danger. I came very close to victory in 2012 and I finally achieved it today”, rejoices Takuma Sato whose best result was only 13th place obtained in 2013 and 2015.

Ed Jones (Dale Coyne Racing) completes the podium ahead of Max Chilton (Chip Ganssi Racing), Tony Kanaan and Juan Pablo Montoya (Team Penske). The Colombian is ahead of Alexander Red (Andretti Herta Autosport), winner of the 100th edition, and Marco Andretti (Andretti Autosport). The top ten is completed by Gabby Chaves (Harving Racing) and Carlos Munoz (A.J Foyt Entreprises).

simon pagenaud (Team Penske) only finished 14th after lacking performance, especially on restarts. The former Championship leader saw his direct rival Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing) fall victim toa terrible crash hitting Jay Howard (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports). Both pilots escaped unhurt.

Alonso does not see the arrival

Fernando Alonso (McLaren-Honda-Andretti) moved to the front before retiring due to mechanical failure 20 laps from the finish. The double world champion F1 joined the list of retirements which includes 13 drivers out of the 33 entered. The restart which followed the interruption of the race caused by the Spaniard was followed by a collision between Oriol Servia (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing), James Davison (Dale Coyne Racing), James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) and Will Power (Team Penske).

Helio Castroneves takes the lead in the Championship after the Indy 500, 11 points ahead of Simon Pagenaud.

Discover the report of the 101st edition of Indy 500 produced by our special correspondent in issue 2116 of AUTOhebdo, available from Monday evening in digital version on all platforms, and from Wednesday on newsstands.