The second race in a row the most popular US championship winning formular Simon Pagenaud of Penske Autosport. He led in the course of the Grand Prix of Alabama — the fourth stage of the IndyCar championship, but almost missed the victory on the last lap, when the fight for the podium intervened riders backward in a circle. That is simply not possible to present in the «Formula 1», it is quite normal for the IndyCar: circular certainly not obliged to pass the leaders. Judges have used blue flags only when the situation escalated to the limit and could happen serious accident.
If the ending of the race was very tense and exciting, its beginning — very strange. Start was given to progress, first machines have already crossed the start-finish line, and the tail of the peloton is still only preparing to dial the desired speed. And at that moment, Carlos Muñoz enters the rear spoiler of the car Mikhail Aleshin, who clings Hoksuorta and is on the sidelines. Immediately appear yellow flags, and like the start canceled. Aleshin and Hoksuort overtake rivals and took their seats, and then, apparently, after the radio team again rise to the tail of the field. One way or another, but the restart took place. However, all was behind Aleshin and Juan Pablo Montoya, but only due to a failed qualification. Montoya break with past positions to fifth place — one of the most remarkable moments of the race. Unfortunately, Mikhail Aleshin something like this could not be due to damage to the vehicle.
Nearly 70 of the 90 laps of the race on the track a little remarkable that happened. The peloton was stretched somewhat, but a number of overtaking pilots still held. By the middle of the race it was possible to secure a successful journey Montoya on lap 63, he was fifth after starting from last place. Mechanics James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsport) held the fastest in the race pit stop, manage less than 6 seconds. This is despite the fact that the mechanics of the crowd, the number of which can be up to 15 people for one car in the «Formula 1» is not in the IndyCar.
Three leaders before the last pit stop was: Pagenaud-Power-Rahal. This Pagenaud has created a pretty decent gap and seemed to have nothing and no one can prevent him to come to the finish line first. After the pit-stop is in front of Power's Rahal, Pagenaud and rests in a circle behind by Conor Daly. Daly give way was not going to, especially since the rules allow you to do this. If suddenly at this time on the track the safety car appeared, then, being in front of the leader, lagging in the range of rider could overtake back of the field, and if he is at this moment behind — the right to enter one round he will be gone. Marshals followed the situation, but blue flags in the address Daly is not used. Although Conor and tried to keep the pace, he still ottormazhivatsya Pagenaud, which made it possible to get close to attack Reyholu distance. Overtaking Graham Rahal held by hooking the machine Pagenaud and sending it to the lawn. Leadership Simon ended, and it seemed that victory is slipping away from him. But then came up against the two leaders again, this time in Jack Hoksuorta. With his overtaking Rahal damaging the front wing and the car becomes poorly managed. Simon Pagenaud after some time, regained the lead as Rahal could no longer resist on the damaged car. Next to the leaders appeared several circular pilots, and there could be a judge began actively waving blue flags, so that more incidents from happening. Later, after the race, Graham Rahal admitted that in both incidents made a mistake that cost him the victory.
Race in Alabama had two more remarkable and quite uncharacteristic for the «Indy» features: the finish line got all the pilots started, and did not go out on the track the safety car.
The famous Indianapolis pilots waiting three weeks to a twin stage, which will include the race, «500 miles». By the way, there on the track may appear younger brother who died last year, Justin Wilson — Stefan.
Photo: Chris Owens / IndyCar, Bret Kelley / IndyCar, Mikhail Aleshin Facebook
