Defending Champion Scott Dixon Takes Early Lead

The season kicked off on April 18 at the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at the Barber Motorsports Park. In contrast to the 2020 season in which most races were held without spectators, the opening round was witnessed by 20 thousand visitors. Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing), in his second Indy season, started from third on the grid, and took the lead after a timely pit stop. Driving with a maturity unseen in a 24 year old, Palou went on to win his first Indy race, also his first after joining Honda.Teammate and defending champion Scott Dixon was third, placing two Honda drivers on the opening round podium.

Colton Herta (Andretti Autosport) won the following round from pole position, the 21-year-old winning his fourth race in his third season. Rounds 3 and 4 were held as a doubleheader in Texas. Dixon won Round 3, so far 3 for 3 for Honda. In Round 5, held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, former Formula 1 driver Romain Grosjean (Dale Coyne Racing with RWR) took pole position on his third Indy race. He finished the race in second place. Palou was third, on the podium for the first time since the opening round. In the points standings, Dixon led, Palou was 13 points behind in second. Chip Ganassi Racing drivers led the points going into the biggest event of the season, the Indy 500.

Helio Castroneves’ Record-tying Fourth Indy 500 Win

The 105th Indianapolis 500 (Indy 500) kicked off with four days of practice sessions from May 18, followed by two Qualifying days. Seven of the Fast 9 in Qualifying Day 2 were Hondas. Dixon took pole, and was fastest in Carb day, the last day of practice.

On the 30th, the green flag signalled the start of the race, held in front of 135 thousand spectators. Dixon was soon out of contention with mechanical issues early in the race. 2020 winner Takuma Sato (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) started 15th, but moved up to striking distance concentrating on fuel efficiency to minimize pit stops. Further behind, Palou and Helio Castroneves (Meyer Shank Racing) were fighting for position. With seven laps remaining, Sato pits, leaving Palou and Castroneves to fight for the win. With two laps to go, Castroneves pulls ahead and wins the Indy 500 for a record-tying fourth time, his last Indy 500 win twelve years ago. Palou was second, but overtook Dixon in the points standings.

Palou Leads Mid-season, Title Up for Grabs in Closing Stages

Marcus Ericsson (Chip Ganassi Racing) won his first race in Round 7. Palou finished third the following round, and won Round 9. He was also on the podium in Round 10. Marcus Ericsson won his second race in Round 11, a race in which Honda dominated the top seven. Round 12 was held once again at the Indianapolis road circuit, where Grosjean scored another second place. Palou had continued to finish consistently within the points, but in Round 13 the Chevrolets fought back, and Takuma Sato’s sixth place was Honda’s best. With Pato O’Ward (Chevrolet) taking the championship lead, there were only three rounds on the West coast remaining.

New Champion is Born

In Round 14, Palou took pole but lost ground soon after the start coming into contact with another car. A change of strategy paid off, however, moving him back to points-leader. Herta won the following two rounds, in which Palou finished second and fourth. His consistency gave the 24-year-old the Indycar Series title in only his second season.

Honda won ten of the 16 rounds to win its fourth consecutive manufacturers’ title, its tenth overall. Palou and Herta had won three races each. Takuma Sato finished within the top 10 eight times, his best result was fourth in Round 7. Sato finished the season 11th overall.

Race Report

• Rd.01 Alex Palou takes first career win in IndyCar Series opener

• Rd.02 Herta Makes It Two-In-A-Row for Honda

• Rd.03 Dixon Dominates in Texas for Third Consecutive Honda Victory

• Rd.04 Rahal Brings Honda Home for Third in Texas

• Rd.05 Podium Results for Grosjean and Palou at the GMR Grand Prix of Indianapolis

• Rd.06 Helio Castroneves Celebrates His Record-tying Fourth Indy 500 Win

• Rd.07 Marcus Ericsson, Honda Win Opening Round of Detroit Doubleheader

• Rd.08 Podium for Palou, Honda at Detroit INDYCAR Race Two

• Rd.09 Palou Leads Honda 1-2 at Road America

• Rd.10 Ericsson, Palou Earn Double Podium for Honda at Mid-Ohio

• Rd.11 Ericsson, Honda Hit All the Right Notes in Nashville

• Rd.12 Grosjean, Herta Lead Double Podium Result for Honda during Brickyard Weekend

• Rd.13 Honda Maintains Manufacturers’ Point Lead After Tough St. Louis Race

• Rd.14 Palou Completes Weekend Sweep for Honda

• Rd.15 Herta Powers Honda to 10th Manufacturers’ Title

• Rd.16 Palou, Honda, Claim 2021 NTT INDYCAR Championships