The podium is completed by Brazilian Tony Kanaan, a 47-year-old veteran.

Thanks to this victory, Marcus Ericsson takes the lead in the provisional general classification of the IndyCar championship, which includes the 500 Miles of Indianapolis.

This is the second success of a Swedish driver at the famous American race after that of Kenny Bräck in 1999.

Ericsson, 31 and ex-F1 driver, took the lead in the closing laps and was able to retain it after the restart, battling wheel-to-wheel through the final corners of the oval circuit with Pato O' Ward.

Swedish Marcus Ericsson, winner of the Indianapolis 500 Miles, May 29, 2022 Justin Casterline GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

"I can't believe it," said Ericsson, who drank the traditional winner's milk.

He thanked his team Chip Ganassi, one of the most famous in the IndyCar championship.

Contested under a bright sun, this 106th edition of the 500 Miles was enamelled, as usual, by numerous incidents, all without gravity.

The first came from Dutchman Rinus Veekay, who hit the wall on lap 38, prompting the first intervention of the safety car while clearing the track of debris.

Spaniard Alex Palou, who was fighting for the lead at the start of the race, lost all his chances when he saw the pit entrance close in front of him when Briton Callum Ilott crashed on lap 68. that he was about to stop to refuel.

Forced to slow down in front of his mechanics and then stop a few laps later, the Spaniard crowned IndyCar 2021 champion, having finished 2nd in the 500 Miles, then fell to 26th place before starting an impressive comeback bringing him in 9th place at the finish.

Grosjean accident

Halfway through the race poleman Scott Dixon was in the lead, the New Zealander ahead of American Conor Daly, Pato O'Ward and Marcus Ericsson.

The French Simon Pagenaud and Romain Grosjean were then in 11th and 18th place respectively.

Grosjean then left the track shortly after on lap 106, without harm to him, ending his first experience of the famous American race.

"The car spun, I don't know why. There were no warning signs in that corner. I'll look at the telemetry to try to figure out what happened," explained the pilot on American television after the accident.

Frenchman Romain Grosjean, during the Indianapolis 500, May 29, 2022 Chris Graythen GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

At 36 and with 179 F1 Grands Prix to his credit, the French driver started in IndyCar last year but had initially decided not to participate in races on oval circuits, such as the 500 Miles of Indianapolis, judging them too dangerous before changing their minds this year.

Scott Dixon, who seemed on track to win the race, however lost his chances 25 laps from the end by entering the pit lane too quickly and thus receiving a penalty forcing him to stop again.

New Zealander Scott Dixon comes out of the pits during the Indianapolis 500, May 29, 2022 Justin Casterline GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

It was then an accident within five laps of the arrival of veteran Jimmie Johnson, ace of Nascar races who started in Indianapolis at 46, who came to reshuffle the cards.

The race was red flagged with Ericsson in the lead.

The Swede managed to maintain his advantage when it was restarted, O'Ward failing in his attempt to pass him on the last lap.

Brazilian Helio Castroneves, four-time winner of the race (2001, 2002, 2009, 2021) finished 7th.

At 47, he was trying to become the absolute record holder for victories in Indianapolis.

Three other drivers, AJ Foyt, Rick Mears and Al Unser, all Americans, also have four successes there.

© 2022 AFP