Marcus Ericsson has been stripped of his podium finish after IndyCar confirmed post-Indy 500 penalties for Andretti Global and Prema Racing for technical violations.
Alongside Ericsson, his Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood and Prema Racing’s Callum Ilott have also faced severe sanctions fundamentally reshaping the outcome of the 109th running of the world’s most famous open-wheel race.
The controversy erupted after IndyCar’s technical inspection team discovered significant rule breaches on three cars during their routine Indianapolis 500 post-race checks.
Marcus Ericsson’s No. 28 Andretti Global entry which had thrilled fans with a late-race duel against Palou, was found to have illegal aerodynamic modifications.
Specifically, officials cited unauthorized changes to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and the cover-to-A-arm mounting points, including the use of unapproved spacers and parts.
These modifications, according to the ruling, had the potential to provide an aerodynamic advantage, a critical factor in a race where fractions of a second can determine victory or defeat.
Kyle Kirkwood who had finished sixth on the road was also found to have the same illegal modifications on his Andretti Global machine.
A statement from IndyCar read: “During post-race inspection of car Nos. 27 and 28, INDYCAR discovered modifications to the Dallara-supplied Energy Management System (EMS) covers and cover-to-A-arm mounting points with unapproved spacers and parts.
“According to the INDYCAR rulebook, EMS covers must be used as supplied. Additionally, these modifications provided the capability of enhanced aerodynamic efficiency to both cars.”
As a result, both Ericsson and Kirkwood were not only stripped of their finishing positions but were also relegated to the rear of the field, officially classified as 31st and 32nd respectively.
The post-Indy 500 penalties did not stop there: Andretti Global was handed a hefty £100,000 fine for each car involved, and the team managers responsible for the entries were suspended for the next round of the championship in Detroit.
Meanwhile, Prema Racing’s Callum Ilott who had finished 12th was also caught in the post-race technical dragnet. Ilott’s car was found to have breached rules regarding the minimum endplate height and location specification on the front wing.
While Prema maintained that the wing was original and had passed multiple technical inspections throughout the month, the car was ultimately deemed non-compliant at the end of the race.
The statement read: “During INDYCAR’s routine inspection of the front wing assembly of PREMA Racing entry No. 90, the car failed to meet the minimum endplate height and location specification.”
Ilott like the Andretti drivers was relegated to the back of the field, officially classified as 33rd as Prema received similar financial and personnel sanctions.
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The impact of these penalties on the final results of the 2025 Indianapolis 500 is profound. Alex Palou, who had already secured a hard-fought victory for Chip Ganassi Racing, now stands alone atop the podium, with the original finishing order behind him significantly reshuffled.
The double Andretti penalty has now been elevated Foyt’s David Malukas to second place with McLaren’s Pato O’Ward taking third. Felix Rosenqvist climbs to fourth as Santino Ferrucci takes fifth, intensifying the competition for the championship title.
The latest controversy comes on the heels of other recent technical penalties in the series, including sanctions against Team Penske entries for modified attenuators found during Indianapolis 500 qualifying.
In that case, Penske drivers Josef Newgarden and Will Power were also relegated to the back of the starting grid, and the team was fined and had personnel suspended.
