Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Speedway, Ind.) — Alexander Rossi is gearing up for the Indianapolis 500 despite recent injuries. He had outpatient procedures on his right ankle and left hand after a crash earlier this week.
His team, ECR Racing, described the injuries as “minor” and hopes he’ll be ready for final practice on Friday. Rossi is scheduled to start in a prime position in the front row of the race.
The crash involved Rossi, Pato O’Ward, and Romain Grosjean, damaging some of the top cars in the competition. Luckily, all drivers exited their vehicles without help.
O’Ward reflected on the crash, noting, “We go so fast, and these cars are at the limit. When you’re in the middle of the pack, risks go up.” He emphasized that it was just a bad moment for everyone involved.
This wreck included some hard impacts. Rossi’s car hit the wall, lifted off the ground, then got hit by O’Ward, who lost control trying to avoid the collision.
Team evaluations are ongoing to see if they can repair the damaged cars. Luckily, Indy 500 rules allow teams to keep their starting spot even with backup cars. Both teams have access to their Indianapolis shops, which helps speed up repairs.
O’Ward remained optimistic, stating, “I’ve had hits before, and I’ll get back behind the wheel like nothing happened.” The drivers want dependable cars for the race, and their teams are prepared to make it happen before Friday’s practice.
Interestingly, this was the first accident during practice for the Indy 500, highlighting the intense nature of the competition. A few days prior, Rossi commented on how challenging qualifying had been, suggesting that the pressure and risks are always high at this level.
O’Ward agreed, saying, “You don’t think about crashing when you’re racing, but risks are part of this.” He also mentioned that drivers need to simulate racing conditions to prepare for anything that might happen.
As fans get ready for one of the biggest events in motorsport, the anticipation among drivers and teams is palpable. Will Rossi make it back on the track in prime condition? Only time will tell.
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