Simona de Silvestro seemingly can’t catch a break at the Indianapolis 500. The Verizon IndyCar driver had a massive flameout on the back straight of the two-mile super speedway in her No.29 Andretti Autosport Honda. To say she had a fuel leak would be an understatement.
At first it was thought that the buckeye in her fueling system stuck open, but later Honda reported that the team said an o-ring failed. Either way, Honda said it was not an engine issue.
The ill-fated car was towed back to its garage, where it was quickly covered. The troops from all five of the Andretti teams gathered to work on the plan. They were extremely tight-lipped and were not forthcoming with any information.
Even after two hours, a strong, acrid smell was pervasive throughout the garage – burnt carbon fiber, wiring, etc.
The car was then loaded into a truck and taken back to the shop. It was not an easy task as the car was stuck in gear and it took an army quite some time, manipulation and effort to get the car into the truck.
IndyCar rules require official permission for a race car to leave the track, and it was given in this case.
Afterwards, a clearly disappointed de Silvestro said “It’s definitely unfortunate because the car is pretty burnt down, and it’s really frustrating that it seems like fire follows me. Maybe this time is ‘third time’s the charm,’ and hopefully the team can get the car back together as quickly as possible. Until now, everything was working fine, and it’s just annoying because it’s a pretty big setback for us, but I have four great teammates and that will make it easier for us to continue moving forward.”
The only thing that could be said to be in her favor at this point is that it’s only Tuesday and there are three days until Saturday qualifying. Small consolation.
As of the beginning of Happy Hour Tuesday afternoon, de Silvestro was listed as twenty-seventh of thirty-one drivers. Her top speed was 222.164 mph.
In other Honda news, it confirmed that James Jakes/No.7 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda lost an engine. His listing at the time was twenty-fifth, at 223.267 mph.
Honda also reported that Jack Hawksworth/No.41 ABC Supply AJ Foyt Honda pulled off mechanical into the grass because he had no brakes. He had only just come out after being in the garage for two days. He turned ten laps, and was credited with twenty-eighth position, with a speed of 221.920 mph.
The Foyt crew said Hawksworth was not scheduled to be out on Monday, nor was his teammate, Alex Tagliani/No.48 Alfe Heat Treatment Special Honda. Tag went through technical inspection and after final fittings, he took to the track for Happy Hour.
And wait … there’s more.
Stig just got into No.19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda. The Timing & Scoring monitor originally listed TBA, but we all know that it’s James Davison. What hasn’t yet been confirmed is who will qualify the car for Davison while he’s in Canada this weekend racing with the Pirelli World Challenge Series. Could it be Tristan Vautier?
And Happy Hour has just begun.