Thrillig IndyCar Provides Perfect Tonic For F1’s Recreational Desert

But McLaughlin – who started sixth on the more difficult “premium” Firestone track – took the lead when the first round of stops changed. Grosjean was stalking the No. 3 Penske competitor at every turn and he looked eager to regain the lead. The trouble is McLaughlin, who won here last season, knows that as long as he comes cleanly from the final turn 14 into the main straight – Grosjean landed his own on the airport runway a few days ago aircraft – formerly –Hass F1 aces are powerless on offense. That’s why it all comes down to the final pit stop.

Grosjean, the driver closely behind, rolled the dice first and pitted in an attempt to chip away at the lead. But Penske’s staff were instrumental in giving McLaughlin the advantage early on, and when the former Australian supercar king stopped a lap later, they were flawless again. Penske Dallara accelerated back onto the track almost as Grosjean’s yellow DHL entered Turn 2. McLaughlin did it — exactly.

But his tires were cold and Grosjean knew he had one last chance to win the race by making the most of his warm rubber heading into Turn 4. McLaughlin blocked the inside route, so Grosjean made a sharp left turn and then braked…he turned, but didn’t quite lead – McLaughlin refused to give in, lost the back end and put Ann Dretti and himself crashed off the track.

McLaughlin probably should have conceded, but few purebred racers would back out under the same circumstances. Still, the two who got into that corner could never go, and the great fight ended in an unfortunate collision that saw both stop nose-first on the tire wall. An angry Grosjean stepped out of the car and pounded the tire wall angrily, while McLaughlin recovered to 13th. What a damn shame it ended this way.

In his TV interview, Grosjean made a dark innuendo about McLaughlin, but it turned out to be a disappointing conversation that followed.McLaughlin spoke of his intention to personally apologize to the Frenchman, and Later someone saw this. Both men’s sole purpose was to take the lead out of Turn 4, which should be ruled as a bloody racing accident.