Robert Shwartzman, the pole winner of the Indianapolis 500, was forced to retire from the race after crashing into his own pit crew during a pit stop. The incident occurred when Shwartzman arrived too quickly at his pit stall, causing his No. 83 car to collide with multiple crew members in the early stages of the race. One member of the pit crew was seriously injured and had to be transported to the infield medical center for urgent treatment.
Shwartzman Details Brake Problems Leading to Pit Lane Collision
Shwartzman, the first rookie to claim the Indy 500 pole since Teo Fabi in 1983, described the events that caused the accident during an interview with FOX Sports’ Jamie Little. He said the day began well but took a downturn after a problematic first pit stop pushed him to the back of the field. Attempting to regain position, Shwartzman explained that his brakes acted unusually during a subsequent pit stop under caution.
“I think I had a pretty decent start today,”
Shwartzman said.
“We were at the top and then our first pit stop, we had some issues, so I lost a lot of time and was in the back. I tried to battle my way to the front and then when it was yellow, I came in and honestly, my brakes felt really strange. When I was going slow coming to pit lane, I locked both front tires which usually is not the case.”
—Robert Shwartzman, Indy 500 driver
“I wasn’t sure if it was the brakes or because the tires were cold. When I came back to my pit, I did not push, I tried to be really slow. As soon as I touched my brakes, both fronts just locked and just went straight into the guys. Luckily, nobody got really hardly injured. I think there’s only one guy that’s had an injury. Happy that everyone is fine.”
—Robert Shwartzman, Indy 500 driver
Multiple Pit Road Incidents Mark a Turbulent Day at Indianapolis
The chaotic scene extended beyond Shwartzman’s crash during a day filled with several pit road mishaps. Earlier, Alexander Rossi faced a pit stall fire, while Rinus VeeKay crashed as he entered pit lane, compounding the challenges faced by drivers and crews. Additionally, Scott McLaughlin crashed during the pace laps before the race started, ending his competition prematurely.
Impact and What’s Next Following the Pit Crew Crash
The crash involving Shwartzman and his pit crew is a stark reminder of the dangers inherent in pit lane activity, emphasizing the need for safety improvements and vigilance from both drivers and teams. As the injured crew member receives medical care, the event casts a shadow over what was shaping up to be a promising debut for the rookie driver. For Shwartzman and the No. 83 team, this marks a significant setback in the IndyCar Series, with attention now turning to recovery and reassessment ahead of future races.
