The Chip Ganassi Racing driver moved to the highest of the standings by ending third behind first-time winner Kyle Kirkwood and his Andretti Autosport team-mate Romain Grosjean.
Ericsson, who began on the entrance row on a road course for the primary time, misplaced out to Workforce Penske’s Josef Newgarden within the pits when nearly all of the sphere stopped underneath yellow, after which on the lap 25 restart was handed by O’Ward between Turns 7 and eight.
Nonetheless, the 2022 Indianapolis 500 winner was then held up when McLaren driver O’Ward additionally tried to nostril inside chief Kirkwood and spun, partly blocking the observe.
Ericsson received going once more however had slipped to eighth earlier than he mounted his restoration to 3rd.
Mixed along with his victory in St. Petersburg and eighth at Texas Motor Speedway, the end result was sufficient to ship him to the highest of the championship desk.
“It was an incredible weekend for us,” the Swede mentioned afterwards.
“The one form of situation we had within the race was that restart when Pato determined to dive down there and attempt to take out a variety of automobiles. Acquired caught out in that. Needed to virtually cease the automotive. I believe I misplaced 5 or 6 positions there. From there on, it was powerful.
“We had the tempo within the automotive to struggle for the win. So it was a very good restoration to come back again and nonetheless end on the rostrum. The tempo on the final stint was wonderful.”
Third place Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Photograph by: Tyler Clemmensen
Requested to evaluate his probabilities had he not been delayed by O’Ward inflicting a observe obstruction, Ericsson replied: “We had a very good probability at it. We had been working second behind Kyle [in the first stint]. I believe we had a bit extra tempo than him, particularly on the finish of the race.
“It is powerful on a road course to overhaul. Kyle did an incredible job, deserved the win.
“However we undoubtedly may have given him a run for it ultimately there. We needed to bounce again.
“I used to be joyful to have the ability to make some good overtakes on my means again to the rostrum. I am going to take that, we’re again within the championship lead.
“After all, may have, would have, ought to have. Possibly we may have challenged for it but it surely wasn’t our day, and we’re pleased with that.”
Ericsson remarked that being again on the high of the factors, as he was after six rounds final 12 months, will give him confidence for the upcoming races.
“Final 12 months already, we had been preventing for the championship and main the championship for a very long time,” he recalled.
“I used to be dissatisfied to overlook out on that however used that as motivation this winter to work arduous on myself and my staff. We have come out even stronger this 12 months. Profitable in St. Pete confirmed that.
“We’re undoubtedly within the struggle.”
