Scott McLaughlin questioned Will Power as a teammate in an explosive post-race interview following Monday’s (AEST) tumultuous IndyCar Series race in Toronto.
With nine laps remaining, Australian great Power collided with New Zealand star McLaughlin and drove him into a concrete wall while attempting to pass for fourth.
The incident halted McLaughlin’s race and earned Power a drive-through penalty. He went on to finish 12th, behind American winner Colton Herta.
McLaughlin jumped out of his car and, probably sarcastically, clapped Power’s car as he came around on the following lap.
“It’s a low-percentage move when we were both probably going to have a good day,” a furious McLaughlin later told Stan Sport.
“He’s come a long way, and it’s difficult to quit, isn’t it? Do you do that to your teammates? I do not know. I mean, I messed up at Laguna Seca, and we made contact as well. It constantly happens.
“I get that we’re racing for a championship but when we’re both ahead of (Alex) Palou, it’s just the low percentage ones that are a little disappointing.”
Power stays second in the championship standings, with McLaughlin dropping to sixth.
“Disappointed for everyone at Team Penske,” McLaughlin remarked.
“We were not the quickest today. Props to Colton. He had a really quick vehicle all weekend, but I thought we might recover some decent points today and put ourselves in contention for the championship. Now it’s going to be a little difficult, and regrettably, it’s contact with a teammate, which you don’t want to see.”
Win together and lose together as a team. Tough day. See you in St Louis pic.twitter.com/QQLobjoFYl
ā Scott McLaughlin (@smclaughlin93) July 21, 2024
The race included six restarts, with a multi-car incident resulting in a red flag on the 73rd lap after Pato O’Ward spun out into a wall, leaving his car’s nose protruding out onto the track.
Marcus Ericsson locked up against the wall behind O’Ward, and three other racers – Pietro Fittipaldi, Santino Ferrucci, and Nolan Siegel – clipped his nose.
Ferrucci’s car took off and landed upside down, but the American quickly signaled to his squad that he was fine and exited from his vehicle.
“First off, I’m very, very thankful to the IndyCar medical team,” Ferrucci told the crowd.
“You know, autos are quite safe. To be in such a terrifying accident and walk away unscathed… I’ve never seen Pato. Actually, at the outset of the race, I had twisted the steering wheel trying to avoid Pato, and we were just left hand up, right hand down.
“So, when I came through there, I didn’t see Pietro clip him, and there was nothing on the spotters. There were no yellows or nothing. So I didn’t realize I needed to check up, which was awful because I was attempting to take care of equipment and have a recuperation day.
O’Ward contended that IndyCar officials were too sluggish to respond.
“I had rear locking, spun, and that’s pretty much the end of that,” the Mexican driver stated.
“I am amazed that IndyCar did not call a yellow. As if you’re simply calling for a big shunt. They had exactly five seconds to call yellow and notify everyone of their impending arrival. I’m pleased everyone else who was in it is okay.
Another look at the Turn 1 incident.
All drivers involved have been seen and released.
šŗ: #IndyTO on Peacock pic.twitter.com/RmxKTYUC0z
ā NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) July 21, 2024
“Sorry about the squad. Obviously, we were having a better race than we had the entire weekend. It’s been truly terrible.”
Herta was overjoyed following his first victory in more than two years, starting from pole and retaining control at Exhibition Place.
The 24-year-old recorded the first weekend sweep in IndyCar history, setting fastest times in practice, qualifying, and warmup before winning the race for his eighth career triumph.
“It’s wonderful. Herta said, “It’s amazing.”
“For whatever reason, things haven’t gone our way. We’ve had speed, podium finishes, pole positions, and top fives, but no wins. And it’s fantastic to finally get one back.”
The race was the first street event for the hybrid powertrains, which were introduced two weeks earlier on the Mid-Ohio road course, with Herta putting extra strain on the engine by spinning around his car in triumphant doughnuts.
“I love doing doughnuts,” Herta stated.
“And this engine will be ripped out after the race so I can destroy it as much as I want.” I hate not getting to do donuts, and this was the ideal race to win.”
Andretti Global teammate Kyle Kirkwood finished second on the street track, 0.3469 seconds back, followed by four-time Toronto champion Scott Dixon of New Zealand.
“Super happy with second, especially when a teammate wins,” Kirkwood declared.
“That was our goal today. We started 1-2 and hoped to finish 1-2. Of course, I would have preferred to have won, but I wasn’t going to push the envelope at all.”
Series leader Palou of Chip Ganassi Racing finished fourth after starting 18th due to a qualifying penalty for interfering.
He extended his advantage to 49 points over Power.
Frenchman Theo Pourchaire finished 14th for Arrow McLaren, replacing the injured Alexander Rossi.
Rossi injured his right thumb during practice when his car collided with a tyre barrier and then crashed into a concrete wall.