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For Marcus Ericsson, the hope of being 2022 IndyCar champion is dwindling

The winner of the 500 Indy 2022 must count on a perfectly conducted finale at Laguna Seca and trouble for Will Power if he wants to be champion.

Published on 06/09/2022 à 11:20

Medhi Casaurang

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For Marcus Ericsson, the hope of being 2022 IndyCar champion is dwindling

Marcus Ericsson is not having a very clear end to the 2022 season. © IndyCar Media

He was the surprise of the 500 Indianapolis 2022. Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) took the lead in the championship IndyCar thanks to a thunderous victory at the Indiana Speedway at the end of May. The Swede, thanks to a double points system at the Indy 500, at the same time became a contender for the coronation.

If he assumed his rank as neo-favorite during most of the North American campaign, the former Caterham and Sauber driver in Formula 1 has slipped from its pedestal since the second Grand Prix of Indianapolis at the end of July. Worse still, his last finish in the top 5 dates back to Toronto (Canada), six events ago.

In these conditions, it is logical to see him rejected 39 units behind the leader before the final of Laguna Seca, Will Power (Team Penske). To get the crown in California, the least complicated scenario for Marcus Ericsson is to achieve pole position, win the race, but also be the driver to lead the most laps. Even with all that, he would have to count on a 15th place from Will Power to beat him to the post.

“To be honest, the championship is quite far away now”, lamented Ericsson during his interview with NBC after the Portland Grand Prix. But the Swede could be saved by a private test organized for all Chip Ganassi Racing residents at the end of August at Laguna Seca, unlike Team Penske.

“We had a good test there, we were fast, the car has been fast in the past. So I'm in it to win the race.” In his previous two starts at Laguna Seca, Ericsson finished 11th in 2019 (with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports) and sixth in 2021.

« I'm going there, I'm aiming for victory, and then we'll see where it takes us with the other opponents we have in front of us. This is the state of mind we must have now for the final test. »

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Medhi Casaurang

Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!

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