Callum Ilott has called on Long Beach practice crash damage sustained by his Juncos Hollinger-run IndyCar be reimbursed after a kerb was replaced overnight seemingly without all of the teams being told.
A kerb that was apparently damaged in an IMSA session at Long Beach was removed and then replaced overnight. IndyCar therefore had its first practice on Friday without the kerb, but when the cars hit the track on Saturday it had been returned to its 2022 position.
.@callum_ilott started his day with a wild ride in turn 5. #INDYCAR // #AGPLB pic.twitter.com/uqm9Bsffhh
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 15, 2023
Ilott and then Rinus VeeKay both appeared to clip the new kerbing and were launched airborne momentarily before hitting the tyre barrier at the exit of Turn 5, a tight right-hander.
When interviewed by NBC, Ilott said he hadn’t been made aware of any track changes overnight and added: “If they did and didn’t tell us, they can pay for the damage, because that’s a joke”.
He then issued multiple tweets connected to the incident, saying that he expected “an explanation later today. Preferably before the session next time. Saves everyone from broken wrists and tens of thousands in damage”. He edited the text out later.
He had also tweeted “just gonna borrow this” in reply to a tweet which showed a picture of the track yesterday with no kerb and a picture with the kerb added on Saturday.
The NBC commentary crew showed multiple replays of Ilott and VeeKay’s cars appearing to be launched by the kerbs.
VeeKay hasn’t spoken publicly about his incident yet.
Another turn 5 victim. #INDYCAR // #AGPLB pic.twitter.com/hJGXeJ6p5z
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) April 15, 2023
The Race understands that IndyCar didn’t send out a series-wide communication because the circuit specifications hadn’t changed compared to 2022.
Points leader Pato O’Ward went fastest again in second practice ahead of three Andretti cars, having topped the first practice on Friday.
Qualifying is coming up shortly on Saturday.
