Marcus Ericsson is the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner. He came to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES from Formula One. Spending most of his career stateside at Chip Ganassi Racing, Ericsson scored multiple wins for the team, of course, none bigger than Indy. He joined the Andretti Global team in 2024 and in the first race at St. Pete he qualified in the Firestone Fast Six. We caught up with Ericsson at the following Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach media luncheon where he would earn a fifth place finish. He talks about what happened at St. Pete, hybrid testing, and getting back to the Speedway. A humble and friendly guy, this driver is really good on street circuits and at the Brickyard. He’ll be aiming for his second win at Indy in just over a week. Enjoy!

NOTE: In 2023, he was leading the 500 late in the race when a red flag came out. The race was re-started with the white flag and Ericsson frustratingly finished second to Josef Newgarden. Newgarden would go on to win again in 2024 while Ericsson driving for the Andretti Global team ended up with a miserable result. After a practice crash destroyed his primary car, he squeaked onto the gird in 32^nd place. Unfortunately, he was the first driver caught out by a first lap crash and finished last. On May 13, 2025, the opening day of practice for the 500, Ericsson put his car in the Top Ten (9^th) to start the month of May strong.

By Larry Mason

Copyright © 2025 Larry Mason

Marcus Ericsson waves to the fans moments before the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

Marcus Ericsson clips the apex perfectly at the fountain turn at Long Beach.

Ericsson’s gloved hand is turning the wheel just enough to enter the long sweeping Turn 10 at Long Beach.

How close can you get to the wall at the tight Turn 11 hairpin? Any closer, and Ericsson would be clipping it!

Fractions of a second later, Ericsson is ready to go full throttle down the long front “straight” of the curved Shoreline Drive.

Interview and photos Copyright © by Larry Mason (unless otherwise noted)