The all-important Month of Could is simply across the nook.
Which suggests the IndyCar season is heating up.
For veteran driver Marcus Ericsson, the season has gotten off to a stable begin. Ericsson completed sixth within the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and picked up his first IndyCar pole in Arlington earlier than ending fourth at that race. Because the circuit heads to Lengthy Seaside for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, Ericsson sits seventh within the standings.
With the Month of Could looming.
SB Nation caught up with Ericsson forward of Lengthy Seaside, and earlier than the vital Month of Could, to speak about his begin to the season, reply some reader questions, and why “revenge” is on his thoughts forward of Indianapolis.
Marcus Ericsson’s 2026 IndyCar season
The dialog started with a have a look at Ericsson’s begin to the season.
A begin the motive force himself described as “sturdy.”
“It’s been a fairly good begin to the 12 months, to be trustworthy. Got here out sturdy in Saint Pete and had an excellent consequence there. And so simply constructed on that. I might say the spotlight being the pole place in Arlington, the brand new overvalued race in Dallas which was a really, very cool occasion, and to be the primary ever pole sitter there was actually cool, and an excellent end there as properly in fourth place.
“However yeah, all in all, it’s been a very stable begin to the 12 months, so fairly, fairly happy with that, however yet another factor for positive. I need to get into victory lane after which, , spray some champagne right here quickly.”
The pole place in Arlington was the primary time Ericsson put his automobile into P1 in IndyCar, and for the motive force it was a fairly large accomplishment, and a fairly large merchandise to verify off the non-public “to-do” record.
“No, it was truly fairly a giant factor for me as a result of it was my first pole place within the IndyCar Sequence, which is loopy to say once I’ve gained a number of races and plenty of podiums, and been upfront rather a lot, however for some purpose, it’s simply been a kind of issues I haven’t [done],” began Ericsson.
“I’ve been second on the grid 4 or 5 instances, however I simply haven’t had that first pole place. So it’s been a little bit of an annoying factor that I haven’t tried to consider a lot as a result of it’s simply a kind of issues the place I feel if you concentrate on it an excessive amount of, you form of create an issue.
“However after all, it’s been behind my head. So to lastly get that first pole place checked off, it’s a giant reduction, and it was good to lastly do this.”
Up subsequent on the IndyCar docket is the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seaside, a road circuit that could be a favourite for drivers and followers alike. Ericsson believes one other sturdy weekend is in retailer for him and Andretti.
“Yeah, it’s one in all my favorites for positive,” mentioned Ericsson. “It’s one of the legendary races on the tour. The Lengthy Seaside Grand Prix is one thing that’s a really historic race. So, I all the time take pleasure in coming there. It’s all the time an awesome ambiance, plenty of followers, for the race.
“And, for me personally, it’s been an excellent observe for me.”
Ericsson believes his historical past in Lengthy Seaside, and the momentum from the begin to the season, will make for an excellent mixture.
“I all the time cherished the road programs, and I’ve been on the rostrum earlier than in Lengthy Seaside, so it’s an excellent observe for me and an excellent observe for us at Andretti. So, very excited to go there, particularly with its momentum from the beginning of the 12 months.
“I feel we’re going to be actually sturdy.”
Following Lengthy Seaside, the most important month on the IndyCar calendar arrives as your complete grid heads to Indianapolis, first for the Sonsio Grand Prix, the race on the street course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The a hundred and tenth Indianapolis 500, a race Ericsson has gained earlier than and are available near successful once more, a number of instances.
Ericsson known as Could the “spotlight” of your complete 12 months, and outlined how it’s every thing the drivers and groups work in the direction of all season lengthy.
“Month of Could is our spotlight of the 12 months.
“There’s little doubt about that.
“And within the automobile, all of the 12 months you’re form of working in the direction of Month of Could, and interested by the Month of Could even while you’re not in it.
“So, yeah, we’re getting near it now.”
Having gained the Indianapolis 500 earlier than, Ericsson is aware of simply how particular IMS is, and the way particular it’s to win there.
“It’s very thrilling, particularly for me being a previous champion. Having gained there prior to now I understand how particular that place is and the way particular it’s to win there.
“And, I feel it’s cool that we do the street course first, after which we’re going to follow week, and qualifying weekend, after which into race week and the race weekend.
“It’s not solely a race, it’s actually plenty of time that you just spend on the market. Yeah, it makes me excited. Final 12 months was very sturdy, we had a very sturdy Month of Could, received actually near successful it final 12 months, so with the Allegra automobile it’s thrilling to get again there and attempt to get into victory lane once more and drink some milk.”
Marcus Ericsson solutions reader questions
Each time I’m fortunate sufficient to talk with a driver, I attain out to readers for query concepts.
Through the years I’ve been fortunate sufficient to do that, I’ve discovered that creates some unimaginable moments, and helps join the drivers with their followers. Fortunately, readers had been greater than keen to assist forward of my dialogue with Ericsson.
We began with, as you would possibly count on, the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Ericsson took the lead within the closing stage of the race, due to a technique name that opened the door for him to take the lead. He endured a hard-fought battle with Alex Palou over the closing laps, finally ending second, however following a post-race inspection he was disqualified, and categorized in thirty first place.
Ericsson known as it a “powerful” and “bittersweet” consequence.
“Yeah, it was, it was powerful,” started Ericsson.
“We clearly had the lead after which misplaced the lead, and I used to be attempting to get it again, and it was powerful there after which as a result of we had some lap visitors that was form of in the way in which of Palou combating for it, so it made it a little bit of an odd scenario, and I used to be simply attempting every thing to attempt to arrange a run and attempt to get a go.
“It was bittersweet as a result of I used to be nonetheless happy with our efforts and the race we did, however after all, coming so brief, , so near successful, it’s clearly very painful as a result of once more, having gained that previously, I understand how particular it’s to win that race and yeah, it was positively very painful to overlook out.”
The following reader query addressed the 2022 Indianapolis 500, when Ericsson received to savor the milk after successful one in all motorsport’s marquee occasions. What was going via his thoughts over these last laps?
“It’s a kind of races the place you don’t suppose, you don’t let your self suppose that you just’re gonna win it till you’re truly crossing the road, as a result of something can occur, proper?
“So, it was identical to staying in your bubble, staying targeted till the checkered flag, and also you went previous the road, after which once I did do this, it was an explosion of feelings. It was all of the onerous work, all of the sacrifices, all of the hours and days and months and years that you just’ve put into this, it’s form of all made it value it for that one second,” described Ericsson.
“Laborious to explain it, onerous to know what was taking place, however an unimaginable feeling and one thing that makes me, or drives me day by day to attempt to get again to that feeling, actually.”
One other reader wished to know the way Ericsson prepares mentally for races just like the Indianapolis 500.
“I work continuously with a psychological coach,” responded the motive force. “We’ve got weekly periods, and I do each day workout routines for psychological energy, focus, and efficiency. So for me, that’s part of my job that I feel provides me an edge, and I’m very sturdy on that. I focus rather a lot on that, and I’ve turn into higher all through my profession on that.
“That’s helped me, , win the Indy 500 in 2022 and win different races and carry out at my highest stage as typically as I can.”
One other reader wished to know if Ericsson had any recommendation for aspiring racers, and the winner of the 2022 Indianapolis 500 responded with an ideal bit of recommendation for any athlete, and actually, anybody in any stroll of life.
Be taught out of your errors.
“Most likely the perfect factor there’s that you just received to undergo it and be taught out of your errors, proper? Everyone seems to be gonna make errors, however it’s the way you sort out them and the way you be taught from them that’s crucial,” mentioned Ericsson.
The response calls to thoughts this unimaginable second from the legendary Niki Lauda.
“So I feel that’s good recommendation that I received early in my profession and that’s one thing that I’m attempting to have with me on a regular basis as properly, that it’s from the errors you possibly can be taught probably the most,” continued Ericsson.
“So it’s all the time straightforward when every thing goes your means, and also you’re successful and working up entrance, as a result of that’s the simple half. It’s when issues go in opposition to you, and also you do errors, when issues don’t go your means, that’s when it’s onerous, and that’s while you actually can be taught and turn into higher.”
One other reader wished to know if there have been any “behind the scenes” facets to the Indianapolis 500, that followers don’t get to see, which are particular in his thoughts.
I’ve mentioned earlier than that each time I get to speak to a driver I be taught one thing, and this response from Ericsson was one of many — many — issues I realized throughout our dialogue.
“I imply, the entire Indy 500 is such a particular expertise,” began Ericsson.
“I feel one factor that’s fairly cool is that the majority drivers stay there on the racetrack for the month. You already know, we keep there in our RVs and motorhomes, and it’s fairly a cool ambiance. You hand around in the evenings and there’s barbecues happening, and it’s only a very cool ambiance that’s enjoyable to be a part of.
“After which clearly once we go race, , it’s elbows out and also you go for the win, however it’s cool.”
Ericsson received his begin in Components 1, and one reader wished to know what the most important distinction was between the 2 racing collection, F1 and IndyCar.
“I feel the most important factor is that the automobile is extra as much as the motive force and staff to optimize, versus in F1, it’s very a lot about what automobile you’re in, since everybody in F1 builds their very own vehicles,” started Ericsson. “In order that’s one thing that I actually like inside the automobile is that, , each staff has received an opportunity to carry out and win.
“In order that’s been a giant factor.”
One other large adjustment within the transfer to IndyCar?
“Clearly studying the oval races was one thing that was utterly new for me coming from Europe,
mentioned Ericsson.
“I’ve by no means raced an oval earlier than, so it’s a giant studying curve there. After which simply the final racing within the US. It’s a bit totally different, simply how every thing works right here.
“So it took a little bit of time to get used to, however I’ve cherished each second of it and actually loved being right here.”
One other distinction between F1 and IndyCar is the dimensions of the groups, and the assist methods round every driver. One reader requested in regards to the emphasis on the “psychological elements of efficiency” in each F1 and IndyCar, and if there have been variations between the 2 collection.
“Possibly within the F1 aspect, it’s greater groups with extra personnel, extra assist methods across the drivers, so that you form of get all these issues given to you in a means, whereas in, in, within the automobile, I really feel prefer it’s extra as much as your self to construct a staff round you and form of resolve the way you’re gonna get probably the most out of your self,” described Ericsson.
“So it’s a bit bit extra within the fingers of your self, however within the grand scheme of issues, like for me, I’m working extra thorough and extra detailed now than I did in my F1 days as a result of that’s simply how I’ve developed,” added Ericsson. “I feel typically it’s a bit bit extra as much as the motive force your self and within the automobile versus in F1.”
Lastly, the all-important query.
If he wins the Indianapolis 500 once more, is complete milk again on the menu?
”I’ll persist with complete milk,” mentioned Ericsson, who opted for complete milk again in 2022 and has picked that ever since. “That’s my go.”
How Allegra helps on the observe
Final 12 months, Allegra joined forces with Andretti for the Indianapolis 500, sponsoring Ericsson’s #28 for the most important race on the calendar.
That partnership is again and larger than ever in 2026, with Allegra sponsoring Ericsson for a number of races this season, together with the upcoming race at Lengthy Seaside, and the street course race in Indianapolis in Could.
“It’s implausible,” mentioned Ericsson about having the Allegra partnership again for an additional season.
“I feel we had a very enjoyable and giving partnership final 12 months. Numerous activations, getting the followers concerned, and it was only a actually enjoyable partnership to be a part of for me.”
As Ericsson famous, there are additionally some efficiency facets to the partnership for him and your complete group that make the connection a “excellent match” between sponsor and staff.
“I feel particularly this time of the 12 months, , with the allergic reactions going, it’s essential for myself and for my pit crew and everybody within the staff to remain sharp and get no mind interference with what we do every day.
“In order that’s the place Allegra is such an ideal match for us. It’s one thing all of us use, however it’s additionally a companion that’s actually enjoyable to signify.
“It’s an ideal match, and I used to be very thrilled to see them again this 12 months.”
A message behind the sponsorship is supporting readability and confidence, and staying alert even when taking allergy remedy. As somebody who offers with seasonal allergic reactions — and has to rocket round race tracks at 230 miles per hour — that is one thing Ericsson understands utterly.
“I imply, while you’re doing 230, 240 miles an hour, you’ve received to remain alert,” described the motive force. “You may’t lose focus, clearly.
“So it’s tremendous necessary.
“It’s greater than necessary. It’s mainly what you must do, proper? To have the ability to drive?
“In order that’s why within the allergy season, that’s the place Allegra is available in, and it actually helps me out, and like I mentioned, my pit crew as properly. As a result of it’s tremendous necessary and you’ll’t have any mind fog and also you gotta keep sharp, and that’s the place Allegra actually helps.”
Final 12 months the partnership included the Allegra Pit Cease Problem, the place followers might follow their response pace. This 12 months the partnership features a tie-in with Walmart, increasing on the activation for followers. Over the course of the partnership, Throughout all three races this season, if Ericsson’s pit crew beats the clock throughout their pit cease, Allegra will “beat it too,” unlocking Allegra-specific Walmart offers that permit shoppers to reap the benefits of Specific Supply service.
”Yeah, so we’re mainly doing this problem once more, a bit following up on what we did final 12 months with activation for the followers. This 12 months now we have this problem the place if my pit crew beats the time set out, we’re gonna get particular alternatives for folks via Walmart Specific.
“And, I feel that’s a very enjoyable technique to activate and construct on this partnership.”
You may be taught extra about this partnership at Allegra.
Because the dialog wound down, we mentioned Ericsson’s expectations for the upcoming stretch, beginning with Lengthy Seaside and working via the Month of Could.
The driving force believes a powerful few weeks lie forward for him, and Andretti.
“Lengthy Seaside needs to be a very sturdy race for us,” started Ericsson. “Like I mentioned, I wanna win. I wanna be again in victory circle, and that’s the massive aim for Lengthy Seaside, and the identical going into the Month of Could.
“So we’ve received some nice momentum going right here after the primary a part of the season, so simply excited to proceed that and have some sturdy races arising.”
However turning to the a hundred and tenth Indianapolis 500, a special phrase involves thoughts for Ericsson.
Revenge. Revenge after how final 12 months ended for him and Andretti.
“Yeah, we’re there for revenge this 12 months for positive,” mentioned Ericsson.
“Clearly being so shut final 12 months, it’s been one thing that’s, each for myself and for my staff, it’s been actually motivating to attempt to come again and win.
“For me personally, having gained it prior to now, it simply makes my drive to need to win once more even stronger as a result of I understand how wonderful it’s to win that race and, yeah, it’s the spotlight of the 12 months.
“I really feel actually ready and prepared.
“I really feel like we’ve carried out all of the homework to be sturdy once we get there, so tremendous enthusiastic about it.”
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