Andretti Autosport were held back by further technical issues during the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, with Marco Andretti and Takuma Sato both being plagued by differing gremlins throughout the 90-lap race.
As the rest of the field completed the formation laps prior to the start of the race around the Barber Motorsports Park, Andretti was forced to return to the pits with an electrical issue once again striking his car for the second race in succession.
Although the Andretti Autosport mechanics were able to rectify the issue, Andretti finally joined the race three laps down on the leaders and was therefore completely unable to make a serious impact on proceedings.
Meanwhile team-mate Takuma Sato struggled significantly during the opening stint of the race with brake issues, forcing the former Formula 1 racer to adjust the brake bias and in doing so impeding his progress despite a relatively competitive start.
"During the first stint, I had issues braking,” explained Sato, who eventually persevered to finish P9.
“So, first I had to move the bias all the way on the front.
“Then later on we lost one brake, so it felt like three-wheel braking – that was a shame.
“Over the course of the stint, I think I was getting better and better over time because we kept making the right adjustments.
“Ninth is not perfect, but I think where we are it was a good result for us.”
These issues come after all four Andretti Autosport racers retired from the second race of the season at Long Beach with a combination of electrical, engine and sensor issues plaguing the cars.
"Disappointing day for the team,” said Andretti after the race in Alabama.
“We were fast Friday and fast this morning in the warm-up, but issues set us back on the start of the race and there was just no way to get the laps back.”
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