Hélio Castroneves, the desire to be an Indy 500 legend

Barely a year ago, the scenario was pure science fiction, whenHelio Castroneves was seen as a veteran fit for retirement, but the possibility of seeing the 47-year-old Brazilian record a historic fifth victory at the Indianapolis 500 this Sunday, May 29 (from 18:45 p.m. French time) is real.

At the start of 2021, the champion ofIndyCar found refuge in the modest Meyer Shank Racing team, for a program initially limited to a single round, the Indy 500. A race that he had not won for 12 years, until this magical May 30, 2021.

ALSO READ > Castroneves will receive a big jackpot if he wins the 500 Indy 2022

Now credited with four successes on the Speedway (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021), Hélio Castroneves is insatiable. Joining AJ Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears in the club of four drivers with four wins at the Brickyard is no longer enough. He wants to become the only record holder for victories at the Indianapolis 500.

But between will and reality, it does not always fit. The risk of failure is not negligible if you are aware of your starting position, a distant 27th place on the grid. Since the creation of the event in 1911, only one man has won from this position: the American Fred Frame in 1932.

“I really want this victory, he assured the media present at a press conference this Thursday, May 26 in Indianapolis. I tied the record, now it would be phenomenal to do what no one has accomplished. That's what AJ Foyt told me: records are made to be broken.

Racing for the history books. 📚@ h3lio and his @MeyerShankRac team are focused on one thing at this year's # Indy500 – the Drive for 5!#PoweredByHonda // #INDYCAR // #DriveFor5 pic.twitter.com/FOgCgBnfmg

— Honda Racing US (@HondaRacing_US) May 27, 2022

Am I going to fight over this? Absolutely. Is this going to happen? We're going to see him on Sunday. I dream about it. »

Hélio Castroneves also appreciates the working atmosphere in the black and pink team with his teammate simon pagenaud, arrived last winter. “It’s always positive to have a driver of his caliber. We've been good friends since the Penske days (between 2015 and 2020. Editor’s note). Having two drivers brings more information to the team; sometimes he will look for solutions that I hadn't thought of. »

The Brazilian drives the same victorious chassis as in 2021. He therefore has only one desire, that of having an identical feeling behind the wheel a year later. “We are lacking a little top speed, but I found the sensations of last year during the final free practices, which was not the case in qualifying,” he details.

By starting from the back of the grid, however, Hélio Castroneves puts himself in a risky position. An accident in front of him could spell the end of his dreams. “I can't do anything about it except trust my colleagues not to make dangerous moves. I will use my experience and my fuel management to move up. I'm not worried, I know what I'm capable of. »

ALSO READ > Indy 500 logbook – Pancakes, Kim Kardashian and street art