Marcus Ericsson talks IndyCar, the Indianapolis 500, and Allegra with SB Nation

The all-important Month of May is just around the corner.

Which means the IndyCar season is heating up.

For veteran driver Marcus Ericsson, the season has gotten off to a solid start. Ericsson finished sixth in the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and picked up his first IndyCar pole in Arlington before finishing fourth at that race. As the circuit heads to Long Beach for this weekend’s Grand Prix of Long Beach, Ericsson sits seventh in the standings.

With the Month of May looming.

SB Nation caught up with Ericsson ahead of Long Beach, and before the critical Month of May, to talk about his start to the season, answer some reader questions, and why “revenge” is on his mind ahead of Indianapolis.

Marcus Ericsson’s 2026 IndyCar season

The conversation began with a look at Ericsson’s start to the season.

A start the driver himself described as “strong.”

“It’s been a pretty good start to the year, to be honest. Came out strong in Saint Pete and had a good result there. And so just built on that. I would say the highlight being the pole position in Arlington, the new hyped up race in Dallas which was a very, very cool event, and to be the first ever pole sitter there was really cool, and a good finish there as well in fourth place. 

“But yeah, all in all, it’s been a really solid start to the year, so pretty, pretty pleased with that, but one more thing for sure. I want to get into victory lane and then, you know, spray some champagne here soon.”

The pole position in Arlington was the first time Ericsson put his car into P1 in IndyCar, and for the driver it was a pretty big accomplishment, and a pretty big item to check off the personal “to-do” list.

“No, it was actually quite a big thing for me because it was my first pole position in the IndyCar Series, which is crazy to say when I’ve won multiple races and a lot of podiums, and been upfront a lot, but for some reason, it’s just been one of those things I haven’t [done],” started Ericsson.

“I’ve been second on the grid four or five times, but I just haven’t had that first pole position. So it’s been a bit of an annoying thing that I haven’t tried to think about much because it’s just one of those things where I think if you think about it too much, you sort of create a problem. 

“But of course, it’s been in the back of my head. So to finally get that first pole position checked off, it’s a big relief, and it was nice to finally do that.”

Up next on the IndyCar docket is the Grand Prix of Long Beach, a street circuit that is a favorite for drivers and fans alike. Ericsson believes another strong weekend is in store for him and Andretti.

“Yeah, it’s one of my favorites for sure,” said Ericsson. “It’s one of the most legendary races on the tour. The Long Beach Grand Prix is something that’s a very historic race. So, I always enjoy coming there. It’s always a great atmosphere, a lot of fans, for the race. 

“And, for me personally, it’s been a good track for me.”

Ericsson believes his history in Long Beach, and the momentum from the start to the season, will make for a good combination. 

“I always loved the street courses, and I’ve been on the podium before in Long Beach, so it’s a good track for me and a good track for us at Andretti. So, very excited to go there, especially with its momentum from the start of the year. 

“I think we’re going to be really strong.”

Following Long Beach, the biggest month on the IndyCar calendar arrives as the entire grid heads to Indianapolis, first for the Sonsio Grand Prix, the race on the road course at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

And then?

The 110th Indianapolis 500, a race Ericsson has won before and come close to winning again, multiple times.

Ericsson called May the “highlight” of the entire year, and outlined how it is everything the drivers and teams work towards all season long.

“Month of May is our highlight of the year. 

“There’s no doubt about that. 

“And in the car, all the year you’re sort of working towards Month of May, and thinking about the Month of May even when you’re not in it. 

“So, yeah, we’re getting close to it now.”

Having won the Indianapolis 500 before, Ericsson knows just how special IMS is, and how special it is to win there. 

“It’s very exciting, especially for me being a past champion. Having won there in the past I know how special that place is and how special it is to win there. 

“And, I think it’s cool that we do the road course first, and then we’re going to practice week, and qualifying weekend, and then into race week and the race weekend. 

“It’s not only a race, it’s really a lot of time that you spend out there. Yeah, it makes me excited. Last year was very strong, we had a really strong Month of May, got really close to winning it last year, so with the Allegra car it’s exciting to get back there and try and get into victory lane again and drink some milk.”

Marcus Ericsson answers reader questions

Whenever I am lucky enough to speak with a driver, I reach out to readers for question ideas.

Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to do this, I’ve found that creates some incredible moments, and helps connect the drivers with their fans. Thankfully, readers were more than willing to help ahead of my discussion with Ericsson.

We started with, as you might expect, the 2025 Indianapolis 500. Ericsson took the lead in the closing stage of the race, thanks to a strategy call that opened the door for him to take the lead. He endured a hard-fought battle with Alex Palou over the closing laps, ultimately finishing second, but following a post-race inspection he was disqualified, and classified in 31st place.

Ericsson called it a “tough” and “bittersweet” result.

“Yeah, it was, it was tough,” began Ericsson.

“We obviously had the lead and then lost the lead, and I was trying to get it back, and it was tough there and then because we had some lap traffic that was sort of in the way of Palou fighting for it, so it made it a bit of a strange situation, and I was just trying everything to try to set up a run and try and get a pass.

“It was bittersweet because I was still proud of our efforts and the race we did, but of course, coming so short, you know, so close to winning, it’s obviously very painful because again, having won that in the past, I know how special it is to win that race and yeah, it was definitely very painful to miss out.”

The next reader question addressed the 2022 Indianapolis 500, when Ericsson got to savor the milk after winning one of motorsport’s marquee events. What was going through his mind over those final laps?

“It’s one of those races where you don’t think, you don’t let yourself think that you’re gonna win it until you’re actually crossing the line, because anything can happen, right? 

“So, it was just like staying in your bubble, staying focused until the checkered flag, and you went past the line, and then when I did do that, it was an explosion of emotions. It was all the hard work, all the sacrifices, all the hours and days and months and years that you’ve put into this, it’s sort of all made it worth it for that one moment,” described Ericsson.

“Hard to describe it, hard to understand what was happening, but an incredible feeling and something that makes me, or drives me every day to try and get back to that feeling, really.”

Another reader wanted to know how Ericsson prepares mentally for races like the Indianapolis 500.

“I work constantly with a mental coach,” responded the driver. “We have weekly sessions, and I do daily exercises for mental strength, focus, and performance. So for me, that’s a part of my job that I think gives me an edge, and I’m very strong on that. I focus a lot on that, and I’ve become better throughout my career on that. 

“That’s helped me, you know, win the Indy 500 in 2022 and win other races and perform at my highest level as often as I can.”

Another reader wanted to know if Ericsson had any advice for aspiring racers, and the winner of the 2022 Indianapolis 500 responded with a perfect bit of advice for any athlete, and really, anyone in any walk of life.

Learn from your mistakes.

“Probably the best thing there is that you got to go through it and learn from your mistakes, right? Everyone is gonna make mistakes, but it’s how you tackle them and how you learn from them that’s the most important,” said Ericsson. 

The response calls to mind this incredible moment from the legendary Niki Lauda.

“So I think that’s good advice that I got early in my career and that’s something that I’m trying to have with me all the time as well, that it’s from the mistakes you can learn the most,” continued Ericsson.

“So it’s always easy when everything goes your way, and you’re winning and running up front, because that’s the easy part. It’s when things go against you, and you do mistakes, when things don’t go your way, that’s when it’s hard, and that’s when you really can learn and become better.”

Another reader wanted to know if there were any “behind the scenes” aspects to the Indianapolis 500, that fans do not get to see, that are special in his mind.

I’ve said before that every time I get to talk to a driver I learn something, and this response from Ericsson was one of the — many — things I learned during our discussion.

“I mean, the whole Indy 500 is such a special experience,” started Ericsson.

“I think one thing that’s quite cool is that most drivers live there on the racetrack for the month. You know, we stay there in our RVs and motorhomes, and it’s quite a cool atmosphere. You hang out in the evenings and there’s barbecues going on, and it’s just a very cool atmosphere that’s fun to be part of. 

“And then obviously when we go race, you know, it’s elbows out and you go for the win, but it’s cool.”

Ericsson got his start in Formula 1, and one reader wanted to know what the biggest difference was between the two racing series, F1 and IndyCar.

“I think the biggest thing is that the car is more up to the driver and team to optimize, versus in F1, it’s very much about what car you’re in, since everyone in F1 builds their own cars,” began Ericsson. “So that’s something that I really like within the car is that, you know, every team has got a chance to perform and win. 

“So that’s been a big thing.”

Another big adjustment in the move to IndyCar?

Racing on ovals. 

“Obviously learning the oval races was something that was completely new for me coming from Europe,
said Ericsson.

“I’ve never raced an oval before, so it’s a big learning curve there. And then just the general racing in the US. It’s a bit different, just how everything works here. 

“So it took a bit of time to get used to, but I’ve loved every second of it and really enjoyed being here.” 

Another difference between F1 and IndyCar is the size of the teams, and the support systems around each driver. One reader asked about the emphasis on the “psychological parts of performance” in both F1 and IndyCar, and if there were differences between the two series.

“Maybe in the F1 side, it’s bigger teams with more personnel, more support systems around the drivers, so you sort of get all those things given to you in a way, whereas in, in, in the car, I feel like it’s more up to yourself to build a team around you and sort of decide how you’re gonna get the most out of yourself,” described Ericsson.

“So it’s a little bit more in the hands of yourself, but in the grand scheme of things, like for me, I’m working more thorough and more detailed now than I did in my F1 days because that’s just how I’ve developed,” added Ericsson. “I think in general it’s a little bit more up to the driver yourself and in the car versus in F1.”

Finally, the all-important question.

If he wins the Indianapolis 500 again, is whole milk back on the menu?

“I’ll stick to whole milk,” said Ericsson, who opted for whole milk back in 2022 and has picked that ever since. “That’s my go.”

How Allegra helps on the track

Last year, Allegra joined forces with Andretti for the Indianapolis 500, sponsoring Ericsson’s #28 for the biggest race on the calendar.

That partnership is back and bigger than ever in 2026, with Allegra sponsoring Ericsson for several races this season, including the upcoming race at Long Beach, and the road course race in Indianapolis in May.

“It’s fantastic,” said Ericsson about having the Allegra partnership back for another season.

 “I think we had a really fun and giving partnership last year. A lot of activations, getting the fans involved, and it was just a really fun partnership to be part of for me.”

As Ericsson noted, there are also some performance aspects to the partnership for him and the entire organization that make the relationship a “perfect fit” between sponsor and team.

“I think especially this time of the year, you know, with the allergies going, it’s very important for myself and for my pit crew and everyone in the team to stay sharp and get no brain interference with what we do on a daily basis. 

“So that’s where Allegra is such a perfect fit for us. It’s something we all use, but it’s also a partner that’s really fun to represent. 

“It’s a perfect fit, and I was very thrilled to see them back this year.”

A message behind the sponsorship is supporting clarity and confidence, and staying alert even when taking allergy medication. As someone who deals with seasonal allergies — and has to rocket around race tracks at 230 miles per hour — this is something Ericsson understands completely.

“I mean, when you’re doing 230, 240 miles an hour, you’ve got to stay alert,” described the driver. “You can’t lose focus, obviously. 

“So it’s super important. 

“It’s more than important. It’s basically what you have to do, right? To be able to drive?

“So that’s why in the allergy season, that’s where Allegra comes in, and it really helps me out, and like I said, my pit crew as well. Because it’s super important and you can’t have any brain fog and you gotta stay sharp, and that’s where Allegra really helps.” 

Last year the partnership included the Allegra Pit Stop Challenge, where fans could practice their reaction speed. This year the partnership includes a tie-in with Walmart, expanding on the activation for fans. Over the course of the partnership, Across all three races this season, if Ericsson’s pit crew beats the clock during their pit stop, Allegra will “beat it too,” unlocking Allegra-specific Walmart deals that allow consumers to take advantage of Express Delivery service.

“Yeah, so we’re basically doing this challenge again, a bit following up on what we did last year with activation for the fans. This year we have this challenge where if my pit crew beats the time set out, we’re gonna get special opportunities for people through Walmart Express. 

 “And, I think that’s a really fun way to activate and build on this partnership.”

You can learn more about this partnership at Allegra.

Looking ahead to May

As the conversation wound down, we discussed Ericsson’s expectations for the upcoming stretch, starting with Long Beach and running through the Month of May.

The driver believes a strong few weeks lie ahead for him, and Andretti.

“Long Beach should be a really strong race for us,” began Ericsson. “Like I said, I wanna win. I wanna be back in victory circle, and that’s the big goal for Long Beach, and the same going into the Month of May. 

“So we’ve got some great momentum going here after the first part of the season, so just excited to continue that and have some strong races coming up.”

But turning to the 110th Indianapolis 500, a different word comes to mind for Ericsson.

Revenge. Revenge after how last year ended for him and Andretti.

“Yeah, we’re there for revenge this year for sure,” said Ericsson.

“Obviously being so close last year, it’s been something that’s, both for myself and for my team, it’s been really motivating to try and come back and win. 

“For me personally, having won it in the past, it just makes my drive to want to win again even stronger because I know how amazing it is to win that race and, yeah, it’s the highlight of the year. 

“I can’t wait. 

“I feel really prepared and ready. 

“I feel like we’ve done all the homework to be strong when we get there, so super excited about it.”