Marcus Ericsson Reveals Patience Is Key to Winning Indy 500

Marcus Ericsson says patience is what sets a driver apart at the Indianapolis 500. The 33-year-old from Kumla, Sweden, knows firsthand.

Ericsson, who now races the No. 28 Andretti Global machine in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Series, won the Indy 500 in 2022 and came within inches of taking a second consecutive victory in 2023. His story is a testament to what it means to fight for and finally achieve success at what drivers often call “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.”

Ericsson’s motorsports career began in Europe with stints in Formula 1 for Sauber and Caterham between 2014 and 2018, but his move to IndyCar in 2019 marked a big shift. By his fourth Indy 500 start, Ericsson’s face was cast on the famous Borg-Warner Trophy alongside legends who won before him.

He describes the win as life-changing, elevating him in the world of American racing and giving special meaning to his years of travel and sacrifice across continents.

His first experience at the Indy 500 in 2019 left a big impression. Competing with Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, Ericsson was surprised by the sheer scale and passion of the event.

Although his race ended early that year due to a rear lock-up and spin, the excitement of competing in front of massive crowds showed him the special energy of oval racing in the United States, something drivers rarely see in European circuits.

After another early exit in 2020, Ericsson stayed determined. Racing for Chip Ganassi, he finished 11th in 2021, showing major progress.

In 2022, things clicked—the Swedish driver ran strong throughout the long month of practice, qualifying, and constant fine-tuning, then drove smartly to the win. For him, patience has been key: waiting for the right moment, choosing battles carefully, and focusing on steady improvement each day.

The 2023 race almost brought a repeat. Ericsson battled with Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden to the final sprint, only to lose victory by just 0.0974 seconds. While the narrow loss still stings, Ericsson says it only fueled his motivation.

He believes that consistency in preparation, along with a mindset focused on learning and adaptation, helps drivers like himself excel against top talent from around the world.

Now in his seventh season, Marcus Ericsson relies on patience more than ever. He says the month-long build-up to the Indy 500 challenges drivers to stay level-headed, handle pressure, and look ahead to the finish—always with the big prize in sight.

Over 102 IndyCar starts, he’s earned 4 wins, a single Indy 500 crown, 20 top-five finishes, and led 157 laps, proving he can compete with the best when it matters most.

He sees every near-miss and tough break as another lesson. Ericsson hopes his focus and determination will deliver more wins at the Brickyard.

As race day returns, his story continues to highlight why the Indianapolis 500 is so hard to master, and why drivers like him keep coming back with hope and patience year after year, especially amid recent Penske Indy 500 penalty issues affecting major teams.