Linus Lundqvist has been checked and released by IndyCar’s medical team after crashing at Turn 2 during Thursday’s practice session for next weekend’s Indianapolis 500.
The Chip Ganassi Racing rookie caught the curb at the entry to the corner and lost the rear, sending the No. 8 Honda into the barriers tail-first before it snapped around and impacted the wall with the right side of the car.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1408]
“I’m all right,” said Lundqvist after leaving the infield medical center. “Just want to apologize to the team — obviously not what we’re looking to do. It’s a shame. I know that the guys worked so hard to put this car together. It sucks.
“It’s my mistake; I know exactly what I did. I touched the curb in Turn 2 and couldn’t hold onto it. It’s something that you talk about often at this place, but it’s just a mistake on my part and the team’s going to pay the price for it.
“It goes so fast, and when you get down there and you realize where you’re at, it’s kind of too late. It’s a small mistake, easy thing to happen, but big consequences.
“I know we’re going to bounce back from something like this. Doesn’t mean that it doesn’t suck in the moment; obviously it hurts and especially when it’s your mistake. But we’ll rebound, I’ll learn from it. There’s another week or so until the race so we’ll bounce back for that.”
Lundqvist was seventh fastest with a best of 226.261mph at the time of the crash, on a day when the entire field is scrambling to take advantage of what appears to be the only window of cooperative weather before qualifying begins on Saturday.
Arrow McLaren’s Pato O’Ward was the session leader when the caution arrived courtesy of a 228,861mph lap in the No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
BIG trouble for @L_Lundqvist76!
The No. 8 goes around and makes hard contact with the wall.
📺: #Indy500 practice on Peacock pic.twitter.com/ehkqcGUpZr
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 16, 2024