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 strong 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 Seashore for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore, Ericsson sits seventh within the standings.
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With the Month of Could looming.
SB Nation caught up with Ericsson forward of Lengthy Seashore, and earlier than the essential 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 driving force himself described as “robust.”
“It’s been a fairly good begin to the yr, to be trustworthy. Got here out robust in Saint Pete and had a superb outcome there. And so simply constructed on that. I might say the spotlight being the pole place in Arlington, the brand new overestimated race in Dallas which was a really, very cool occasion, and to be the primary ever pole sitter there was actually cool, and a superb end there as properly in fourth place.
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“However yeah, all in all, it’s been a very strong begin to the yr, so fairly, fairly happy with that, however another factor for certain. I wish to get into victory lane after which, you already know, spray some champagne right here quickly.”
The pole place in Arlington was the primary time Ericsson put his automotive into P1 in IndyCar, and for the driving force it was a reasonably large accomplishment, and a reasonably large merchandise to examine off the non-public “to-do” listing.
“No, it was truly fairly an enormous 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 received a number of races and a number of podiums, and been upfront so much, 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 occasions, 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 believe if you concentrate on it an excessive amount of, you form of create an issue.
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“However in fact, it’s been behind my head. So to lastly get that first pole place checked off, it’s an enormous aid, and it was good to lastly try this.”
Up subsequent on the IndyCar docket is the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore, a road circuit that may be a favourite for drivers and followers alike. Ericsson believes one other robust weekend is in retailer for him and Andretti.
“Yeah, it’s one in every of my favorites for certain,” stated Ericsson. “It’s probably the most legendary races on the tour. The Lengthy Seashore Grand Prix is one thing that’s a really historic race. So, I all the time get pleasure from coming there. It’s all the time an ideal environment, a number of followers, for the race.
“And, for me personally, it’s been a superb observe for me.”
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Ericsson believes his historical past in Lengthy Seashore, and the momentum from the begin to the season, will make for a superb mixture.
“I all the time beloved the road programs, and I’ve been on the rostrum earlier than in Lengthy Seashore, so it’s a superb observe for me and a superb observe for us at Andretti. So, very excited to go there, particularly with its momentum from the beginning of the yr.
“I believe we’re going to be actually robust.”
Following Lengthy Seashore, 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 highway course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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After which?
The one hundred and tenth Indianapolis 500, a race Ericsson has received earlier than and are available near successful once more, a number of occasions.
Ericsson referred to as Could the “spotlight” of your complete yr, and outlined how it’s every little thing the drivers and groups work in the direction of all season lengthy.
“Month of Could is our spotlight of the yr.
“There’s little doubt about that.
“And within the automotive, all of the yr you’re form of working in the direction of Month of Could, and eager about the Month of Could even whenever you’re not in it.
“So, yeah, we’re getting near it now.”
Having received the Indianapolis 500 earlier than, Ericsson is aware of simply how particular IMS is, and the way particular it’s to win there.
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“It’s very thrilling, particularly for me being a previous champion. Having received there prior to now I understand how particular that place is and the way particular it’s to win there.
“And, I believe it’s cool that we do the highway 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 a number of time that you simply spend on the market. Yeah, it makes me excited. Final yr was very robust, we had a very robust Month of Could, received actually near successful it final yr, so with the Allegra automotive 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.
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Through the years I’ve been fortunate sufficient to do that, I’ve discovered that creates some unbelievable moments, and helps join the drivers with their followers. Fortunately, readers have been greater than prepared to assist forward of my dialogue with Ericsson.
We began with, as you would possibly anticipate, the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Ericsson took the lead within the closing stage of the race, because of a method name that opened the door for him to take the lead. He endured a hard-fought battle with Alex Palou over the closing laps, in the end ending second, however following a post-race inspection he was disqualified, and categorised in thirty first place.
Ericsson referred to as it a “robust” and “bittersweet” outcome.
“Yeah, it was, it was robust,” started Ericsson.
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“We clearly had the lead after which misplaced the lead, and I used to be making an attempt to get it again, and it was robust 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 making an attempt every little thing to attempt to arrange a run and attempt to get a move.
“It was bittersweet as a result of I used to be nonetheless pleased with our efforts and the race we did, however in fact, coming so quick, you already know, so near successful, it’s clearly very painful as a result of once more, having received that previously, I understand how particular it’s to win that race and yeah, it was undoubtedly 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 every of motorsport’s marquee occasions. What was going by means of his thoughts over these ultimate laps?
“It’s a kind of races the place you don’t suppose, you don’t let your self suppose that you simply’re gonna win it till you’re truly crossing the road, as a result of something can occur, proper?
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“So, it was identical to staying in your bubble, staying centered till the checkered flag, and also you went previous the road, after which once I did try this, it was an explosion of feelings. It was all of the exhausting work, all of the sacrifices, all of the hours and days and months and years that you simply’ve put into this, it’s form of all made it value it for that one second,” described Ericsson.
“Arduous to explain it, exhausting to know what was occurring, however an unbelievable feeling and one thing that makes me, or drives me every single day to attempt to get again to that feeling, actually.”
One other reader wished to understand how Ericsson prepares mentally for races just like the Indianapolis 500.
“I work always with a psychological coach,” responded the driving force. “We now have weekly periods, and I do day by day workouts for psychological power, focus, and efficiency. So for me, that’s part of my job that I believe provides me an edge, and I’m very robust on that. I focus so much on that, and I’ve change into higher all through my profession on that.
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“That’s helped me, you already know, win the Indy 500 in 2022 and win different races and carry out at my highest stage as usually 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 may be that you simply received to undergo it and study out of your errors, proper? Everyone seems to be gonna make errors, but it surely’s the way you sort out them and the way you study from them that’s an important,” stated Ericsson.
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The response calls to thoughts this unbelievable second from the .
“So I believe that’s good recommendation that I received early in my profession and that’s one thing that I’m making an attempt to have with me on a regular basis as properly, that it’s from the errors you may study essentially the most,” continued Ericsson.
“So it’s all the time straightforward when every little thing goes your method, and also you’re successful and working up entrance, as a result of that’s the straightforward half. It’s when issues go in opposition to you, and also you do errors, when issues don’t go your method, that’s when it’s exhausting, and that’s whenever you actually can study and change into higher.”
One other reader wished to know if there have been any “behind the scenes” features to the Indianapolis 500, that followers don’t get to see, which can be particular in his thoughts.
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I’ve stated earlier than that each time I get to speak to a driver I study 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 believe one factor that’s fairly cool is that the majority drivers stay there on the racetrack for the month. You recognize, we keep there in our RVs and motorhomes, and it’s fairly a cool environment. You hand around in the evenings and there’s barbecues happening, and it’s only a very cool environment that’s enjoyable to be a part of.
“After which clearly after we go race, you already know, it’s elbows out and also you go for the win, but it surely’s cool.”
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Ericsson received his begin in System 1, and one reader wished to know what the most important distinction was between the 2 racing collection, F1 and IndyCar.
“I believe the most important factor is that the automotive is extra as much as the driving force and crew to optimize, versus in F1, it’s very a lot about what automotive you’re in, since everybody in F1 builds their very own vehicles,” started Ericsson. “In order that’s one thing that I actually like throughout the automotive is that, you already know, each crew has received an opportunity to carry out and win.
“In order that’s been an enormous factor.”
One other large adjustment within the transfer to IndyCar?
Racing on ovals.
“Clearly studying the oval races was one thing that was utterly new for me coming from Europe,stated Ericsson.
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“I’ve by no means raced an oval earlier than, so it’s an enormous studying curve there. After which simply the final racing within the US. It’s a bit completely different, simply how every little thing works right here.
“So it took a little bit of time to get used to, however I’ve beloved 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 help methods round every driver. One reader requested concerning the emphasis on the “psychological components of efficiency” in each F1 and IndyCar, and if there have been variations between the 2 collection.
“Perhaps within the F1 facet, it’s greater groups with extra personnel, extra help methods across the drivers, so that you form of get all these issues given to you in a method, whereas in, in, within the automotive, I really feel prefer it’s extra as much as your self to construct a crew round you and form of resolve the way you’re gonna get essentially the most out of your self,” described Ericsson.
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“So it’s just a little bit extra within the palms 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 believe on the whole it’s just a little bit extra as much as the driving force your self and within the automotive 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 keep on with complete milk,” stated 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 yr, Allegra joined forces with Andretti for the Indianapolis 500, sponsoring Ericsson’s #28 for the most important race on the calendar.
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That partnership is again and greater than ever in 2026, with Allegra sponsoring Ericsson for a number of races this season, together with the upcoming race at Lengthy Seashore, and the highway course race in Indianapolis in Could.
“It’s implausible,” stated Ericsson about having the Allegra partnership again for an additional season.
“I believe we had a very enjoyable and giving partnership final yr. Loads of 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 features to the partnership for him and your complete group that make the connection a “excellent match” between sponsor and crew.
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“I believe particularly this time of the yr, you already know, with the allergy symptoms going, it’s crucial for myself and for my pit crew and everybody within the crew 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, but it surely’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 yr.”
A message behind the sponsorship is supporting readability and confidence, and staying alert even when taking allergy medicine. As somebody who offers with seasonal allergy symptoms — and has to rocket round race tracks at 230 miles per hour — that is one thing Ericsson understands utterly.
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“I imply, whenever you’re doing 230, 240 miles an hour, you’ve received to remain alert,” described the driving force. “You possibly can’t lose focus, clearly.
“So it’s tremendous essential.
“It’s greater than essential. It’s principally 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 stated, my pit crew as properly. As a result of it’s tremendous essential and you’ll’t have any mind fog and also you gotta keep sharp, and that’s the place Allegra actually helps.”
Final yr the partnership included the Allegra Pit Cease Problem, the place followers may follow their response velocity. This yr 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 enable customers to benefit from Categorical Supply service.
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“Yeah, so we’re principally doing this problem once more, a bit following up on what we did final yr with activation for the followers. This yr we’ve got this problem the place if my pit crew beats the time set out, we’re gonna get particular alternatives for individuals by means of Walmart Categorical.
“And, I believe that’s a very enjoyable solution to activate and construct on this partnership.”
You possibly can study extra about this partnership at .
Looking forward to Could
Because the dialog wound down, we mentioned Ericsson’s expectations for the upcoming stretch, beginning with Lengthy Seashore and working by means of the Month of Could.
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The motive force believes a robust few weeks lie forward for him, and Andretti.
“Lengthy Seashore ought to be a very robust race for us,” started Ericsson. “Like I stated, I wanna win. I wanna be again in victory circle, and that’s the large purpose for Lengthy Seashore, 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 robust races developing.”
However turning to the one hundred and tenth Indianapolis 500, a special phrase involves thoughts for Ericsson.
Revenge. Revenge after how final yr ended for him and Andretti.
“Yeah, we’re there for revenge this yr for certain,” stated Ericsson.
“Clearly being so shut final yr, it’s been one thing that’s, each for myself and for my crew, it’s been actually motivating to attempt to come again and win.
“For me personally, having received it prior to now, it simply makes my drive to wish to win once more even stronger as a result of I understand how superb it’s to win that race and, yeah, it’s the spotlight of the yr.
“I can’t wait.
“I really feel actually ready and prepared.
“I really feel like we’ve finished all of the homework to be robust after we get there, so tremendous enthusiastic about it.”
