IndyCar: Michael Andretti reads his drivers the riot act
Michael Andretti acknowledged Tuesday that the meltdown of his IndyCar team at Mid-Ohio was unacceptable and said his four drivers will be expected to work together as teammates the remainder of the season.
Andretti led an emergency meeting after Sunday’s race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, after the team self-destructed in the race.
“Our race results in Mid-Ohio did not go as planned. Sunday’s display was disappointing and unacceptable and not the way we operate — on or off the track,” Andretti said Tuesday in a statement provided to The Associated Press.
“Racing is a passionate sport and we have four highly competitive drivers; however we are one team at Andretti and our drivers need to remember that we expect them to work together for the betterment of the team. That’s the way it will be going forward.”
Team owner Michael Andretti stormed away from Alexander Rossi’s pit stand after contact between Rossi and teammate Romain Grosjean knocked them both off course, and later Rossi did the same thing to Andretti teammate Devlin DeFrancesco. Rossi received a penalty for avoidable contact with DeFrancesco.
Andretti was later seen in a heated discussion with Rossi’s father.
Andretti Autosport’s worst nightmare.
Teammates Alexander Rossi and Romain Grosjean collide. Grosjean yells, “WHAT’S WRONG WITH HIM!?” #INDYCAR
📺 : @nbc and @peacockTV
💻 : https://t.co/dYbnJhswam pic.twitter.com/OrlF9AU9pK— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) July 3, 2022
Rossi is leaving Andretti at the end of the season to drive for Arrow McLaren SP, but perhaps it would be best for the team to let him go early, as he’s clearly a negative energy at this point.
“He’s an absolute idiot,” Grosjean told reporters after the race. No quote from DeFrancesco yet.
Romain Grosjean on his race today and the contact with Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta:#Honda200 #IndyCar pic.twitter.com/96m0OKbUuZ
— Christopher DeHarde (@CDeHarde) July 3, 2022
Rossi and Grosjean had repeated wheel-to-wheel contact and one of the bumps knocked the steering wheel out of Rossi’s hands, leaving him unable to turn as both cars went off course.
“What the hell is wrong with him?” Grosjean screamed.
Grosjean was less than pleased to later receive team orders to aid Rossi’s finish.
“What do you want me to do? Just block everyone behind and not go ahead?” Grosjean declined.
“Because Rossi put me in the wall, so I am not going to protect him,” Grosjean replied.
