On the tight streets of St. Petersburg, Florida, if you have an opportunity to take the lead, you take it. That’s what Romain Grosjean did, and let’s just say it didn’t work out.
On Lap 72 of the 100-lap race, Grosjean was racing to get around and pass Scott McLaughlin, who was exiting pit road. The two had been in the lead, and with no pit stops expected, this was likely for the win. Grosjean had warm tires and momentum, and he went to the outside to try and pass McLaughlin in Turn 4. McLaughlin tried to protect the lead, but his tires were too cold, and the back end came around, caught Grosjean, and both went into the tire barrier.
Grosjean was out of the race, while McLaughlin continued but fell a lap down and was penalized. Pato O’Ward inherited the lead, but defending Indy 500 champ, Marcus Ericsson passed O’Ward with three laps to go for the season-opening win.
.@smclaughlin93 and @RGrosjean make contact… Again.#INDYCAR // #FirestoneGP pic.twitter.com/9FKkCiff5C
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) March 5, 2023
This was the latest in a wild day for the NTT IndyCar Series. A major crash on Lap 1 resulted in Devlin DeFrancesco getting drilled and going airborne. Later in the race, Kyle Kirkwood jumped over a couple cars as he was unable to avoid a blocked track.
Grosjean, the former Formula 1 driver, was going for his first career IndyCar win. The pole sitter for this race, Grosjean was understandably frustrated after that potential win slipped away.
'@RGrosjean wanted this one badly. #INDYCAR pic.twitter.com/iztq6EVDeq
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) March 5, 2023
Many reacted to the race-defining moment.
Saw that one coming from miles away. Scott McLaughlin and Romain Grosjean collide in the battle for the net lead. pic.twitter.com/LCu4gfsWhX
— Vincent Bruins 🧡 (@VincentJBruins) March 5, 2023
grosjean and mclaughlin said pic.twitter.com/WZaLXvwRj8
— Naca ⁵ (@F1ToRuleThemAll) March 5, 2023
Grosjean obviously furious.
That was for the win right there, and nobody wanted to give an inch, now neither will see Victory Lane today.#IndyCar
— Nick DeGroot (@ndegroot89) March 5, 2023
Well…
All 4 @FollowAndretti cars are now out of this race.
Grosjean, battling McLaughlin for the lead, throws it into Turn 4 & both of them end up in the tires. https://t.co/6AbdhuOrHb
— Nathan Brown (@By_NathanBrown) March 5, 2023
Andretti recap:
Herta had contact with Power. Out.
Kirkwood had contact with Harvey, went airborne. Several laps down.
Grosjean had contact with McLaughlin going for the win. He's not winning.
DeFrancesco out on Lap 1.
Not a good day for the team.#FirestoneGP #IndyCar
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) March 5, 2023
Wow. McLaughlin and Grosjean.
— Dustin Albino (@DustinAlbino) March 5, 2023
This capped a disappointing day for Andretti AutoSport. Andretti started 1-2, but all four cars crashed in various incidents. In addition to DeFrancesco, Kirkwood, and Grosjean, Colton Herta also hit the wall.
With a crash like this, many will point fingers and place blame on either person. Honestly, this is what happens when two drivers are going for a win and know that they probably won’t get another chance. It resulted in neither person getting the win, but that’s what happens sometimes.
[Photo: @IndyCar]
About Phillip Bupp
Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.
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