GP Louisiana – Qualifications: Montoya on pole by default
The unpredictable weather in New Orleans has led to the cancellation of the IndyCar qualifications. The starting grid is set based on the championship standings; a situation that satisfies few drivers.
Juan Pablo Montoya will start this Sunday in pole position for the first Louisiana IndyCar Grand Prix, on a road circuit near New Orleans. This pole position is not the result of the qualifying sessions, which were canceled due to heavy rain, but rather due to the championship standings. “We were lucky, but at the same time that’s why you need points [in the championship], when you have days like this, it pays off,” said the Colombian.
A double-edged regulation
When qualifying sessions are canceled, the starting grid of an IndyCar race is determined based on the standings of the drivers in the overall championship. This rule respects the overall results of the drivers and prevents potential chaotic starts and accidents during the race caused by large performance gaps between the cars.
Unfortunately for some drivers, this regulation penalizes drivers who fall victim to poor performances when few races have been run. In this case, the GP of Louisiana is the second event of the year. Thus, Scott Dixon, who was leading in the last free practice sessions, finds himself 15th on the starting grid, his result during the St. Petersburg race.
“It’s really a shame,” says the New Zealander, “the weather hasn’t been cooperative with us this weekend here in NOLA. Fortunately, the weather is better for tomorrow [Sunday] and we can race for the fans.” Dixon is leaving his famous red Ganassi Racing car this weekend for a blue livery in Brita colors.
The happy and the disappointed
The Frenchmen Simon Pagenaud and Sébastien Bourdais will start 5th and 6th respectively. Takuma Sato, who struggled during the practice sessions, will start in the middle of the pack, in 13th position.
Simona de Silvestro, at one point 3rd during the rainy qualifying, will be 18th on the grid. Rookies Gabby Chaves and Sage Karam, 3rd and 5th in free practice, will start 17th and 19th. Other fast drivers, like Stefano Coletti and Charlie Kimball, will be 20th and 21st.
The starting grid:
