Runner up in the 2025 Indianapolis 500 Marcus Ericsson has been penalised and sent to the back of the 33-car grid after his car failed to pass post race inspections.
His Andretti Global team drive, as well as his teammates’ Kyle Kirkwood, were found to have unapproved modifications that could have helped their aerodynamic efficiency.
Ericsson finished second to championship leader Alex Palou after he was unable to make a winning move in the closing stages of the race.
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The 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner will be credited with a 31st place finish while Kirkwood, who finished sixth, has been relegated to 32nd.
In their statement, IndyCar highlighted that the two cars failed inspection due to the energy management system covers having unapproved modifications.
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Marcus Ericsson, driver of the #28 Andretti Global Honda, looks on during the Carb Day practice prior to the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Getty
“During post-race inspection of car No.27 and No.28 [of Andretti Global], IndyCar discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System [EMS] covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts,” it wrote.
“According to the IndyCar rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied.
“Additionally, these modifications provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.”
Behind them, Calum Ilott in the No.90 Prema Racing car also failed the post race technical inspection after it did not meet the minimum endplate height and location specification.
Because the British driver finished behind both Andretti drivers in 12th, he takes last place in the 2025 Indianapolis 500.
Because of the multiple penalisations, Scott McLaughlin who failed to post any laps due to crashing out during the warm-up lap, is now credited with a finish in 30th place.
David Malukas and Pato O’Ward now move into the podium places in second and third respectively.
This penalty news comes off the back of Team Penske having a shocking weekend leading up into ‘the greatest spectacle in racing’, with two of their cars failing technical inspections before qualifying and also being sent to the back of the grid.
This saw three of their top team executives, including team principal Tim Cindric ousted from Penske the week before the Indianapolis 500.
Because of the post race penalisations, both Andretti Global drivers will need to forfeit their prize money and championship points they scored from the original finish.
They will instead receive the money and points for the penalised finished in 31st and 32nd and will be fined $155,000 AUD.
The competition managers of each team will also be handed a suspension for the next upcoming IndyCar race in Detroit this weekend.
The team sent out an immediate statement in relation to the news of Ericsson and Kirkwood’s punishments.
“We are in receipt of the Indianapolis 500 post-race penalty notice as provided by IndyCar,” it read.
“We are taking the necessary time to assess the information and we will be requesting a full review with IndyCar.”
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