Sato wins the 104th edition of the Indianapolis 500

Third on the grid, Takuma Sato beat Scott Dixon, to give RLL Racing a prestigious success, the Japanese's previous success having been signed with Andretti Autosport. The team of Bobby Rahal and David Letterman is all the more delighted as Graham Rahal took the third step of the podium. 

In a race long dominated by Scott Dixon, the ex-driver of F1 started to look like a serious contender for victory in the final quarter of the 104th edition of the American classic. On the 158th lap, he took the lead in a regular manner, gaining the upper hand over the five-time champion of the series, who continues to see the Brickyard resist him since his only success in 2008, but who substantially increases his lead in the general. 

.@TakumaSatoRacer to the lead with less than 50 to go in the # Indy500!

TV: NBC
Stream: https://t.co/THKlb49aWT pic.twitter.com/jcefAr9MAh

— Indy 500 on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 23

Dixon had nevertheless regained the upper hand over Sato at the end of his last refueling, on the 170th lap, but the Japanese's top speed was higher. Three laps later, the RLL driver definitely took the lead, and saw his success secured when the RLL Racing freelancer, Spencer Pigot, caused a final neutralization on the 195th lap, after a spin ending violently at the level of the entrance to the pitlane. The Nippon could breathe, even though it was then battling in traffic against the latecomers, and Dixon was still threatening. 

Oh Damn Spencer Pigot
Driver Ok # Indy500 pic.twitter.com/TiE1GUfjjz

— Burgrid7 (@Burgrid7) August 23

Before Sato, the New Zealander had mainly battled with Alexander Red. On the 102nd lap, the winner of the 2016 edition had even taken the lead, the start of an intense mano a mano between the two men who continued to take the lead of the race. 

This seemed to foreshadow the finish of the race, but Rossi saw his efforts reduced to nothing following a poorly negotiated pit stop, where he touched the wheel without damaging it. car by Takuma Sato coming out of his pitbox. Penalized, the American from Andretti Autosport had to restart at the back of the pack on the 129th lap. He would finally finish his race in the wall (144th lap). 

It's over for @AlexanderRossi.

Trying to race his way back to the front, he crashes out of the # Indy500 on @NBC: https://t.co/THKlb49aWT pic.twitter.com/MvINVIPrkO

— Indy 500 on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) August 23

Started 25th, simon pagenaud (Team Penske) held the lead of the race for a time (32nd to 45th lap), thanks to a staggered strategy, but he was never able to return to the sequence of leading drivers. Victim of contact with Ryan Hunter-Reay (132nd lap), the Poitevin driver was forced to return to the pits to change a damaged wing, and had to settle for 22nd place. 

Author of an anonymous race, Fernando Alonso (McLaren SP) finished a small place ahead of the French title holder. 

Find the analysis of the 2275 Indy 500 in issue 2020 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands.