The future of 2022 Indy 500 winner Marcus Ericsson is still very much up in the air. He’s currently in his fourth season with Chip Ganassi Racing, but there’s a real possibility that it will be his last as well.
During first practice at Road America yesterday, NBC reporter/commentator Kevin Lee revealed an interesting chat he had with the 32-year-old about current negotiations with CGR.
Throughout the course of Ericsson’s career in F1 and now IndyCar, he has brought a budget with him to be able to actually have a seat on the grid. Now, he wants to that change.
Photo credit: Penske Entertainment | James Black
However, things are not looking great at the moment for him in regards to his future at CGR. According to the Swedish star, there is clear distance on an agreement as the team still want him to bring a budget instead of getting paid.
“It’s a bit frustrating. It feels like we’re a quite a ways away,” Ericsson stated according to Kevin Lee.
“I see things one way. I feel like I should get paid — and the team thinks I should pay to be there.
“I am frustrated. There is at least 15 drivers who don’t bring a budget — and I’d like to think I am one of those with the performance [I’ve shown] — but the team thinks otherwise. So that’s why we’re quite far apart.
“I’ve tried to play nice and make it clear I want to say here. I don’t understand and it’s frustrating.”
According to Lee on yesterday’s broadcast, Ericsson cannot sign for another team for a couple of months, but the good news for the Swede is that he has “some really good options” in the series should he leave CGR – and he will get paid.
Does Ericsson deserve to be paid by the team?
The answer in short is yes. Ericsson has been consistently one of the best drivers in the category since the beginning of 2022 in particular.
He led the championship for quite a while last year following his 500 victory. Two P6 finishes in the standings in 2021 and 2022 showed his consistency and high level.
This year he’s P2 behind teammate Alex Palou at present. Ericsson has finished every single race inside the top 10 in 2023, too.
It’s clear Ericsson will bring any team good and consistent results if you give him the equipment to do so. In a squad with quality drivers like Alex Palou and Scott Dixon, he’s shown himself to be at the standard required to be at a top team.
Chip Ganassi Racing is a big organisation, so of course it’s possible for them to pay Ericsson. But will they? That’s an entirely different matter.
As Chip Ganassi showed last year during the conflict involving Palou, CGR and McLaren over the Spaniard’s services, he will do what he feels is right for the team.
Nonetheless, wherever Ericsson can get paid — and feels wanted and appreciated — should be his next destination. Only he knows where that is.
