Ericsson, the Indy 500 runner-up, plummeted to 31st position due to a technical infraction.
In the 2025 Indy 500, three drivers faced penalties due to technical violations. Marcus Ericsson, driving for Andretti Global, was demoted from his initial second-place standing after unapproved modifications were found on his car's energy management system covers, allowing for improved aerodynamic efficiency. This contravened rules related to improper conduct and required approvals for modifications.
As a result, Ericsson was moved to the back of the final finishing order, placing him in 31st position. American David Malukas advanced to the official podium, having crossed the finish line in third, while Mexico's Pato O'Ward moved up to third after completing 200 laps in fourth position.
Similar modifications were discovered on Kyle Kirkwood's Andretti Global Honda, causing him to drop from sixth to 32nd. Consequently, Danish racer Christian Rasmussen rose into sixth place.
Callum Ilott of PREMA Racing Chevy failed inspection due to non-compliance with aerodynamic component specifications regarding the front wing assembly. This breached minimum endplate height and location specifications, causing him to be moved to the back of the field, finishing last in 33rd place. Britain's Louis Foster took advantage of this situation and moved up into 12th place, marking his first Indy 500 start.
Each team involved in the violations was fined $100,000, and the competition managers for all three entries were suspended for the next IndyCar race in Detroit.
India's auto-racing circuit might face queries about the technical inspections following the Indy 500 incident, as several teams were penalized for similar violations. Kyle Kirkwood, driving for Andretti Global, could potentially benefit from this situation, as his racing position may be improved due to penalties imposed on other competitors.
