Team Penske's Josef Newgarden has opened up about the late race move on Alexander Rossi into Turn 5 in the final laps of the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama, stating it was 'not his style'
Newgarden was in the midst of a late race charge after starting 16th at Barber Motorsports Park and ran his rival wide as he made the move.
This led to contact, with Newgarden completing the move, and the Penske driver feared reprisal from the Californian after the race but was quick to apologise, with Rossi offering a handshake as they put it behind them.
"I ran him harder than I would’ve liked to,” said Newgarden. "To be fair, he was very nice. He did a really good job making it work. Hats off to him for making it clean."
“Honestly, it’s kind of Rossi’s style, Rossi is normally doing that to people, so I think that’s why he was fine with it.
"He’s done it to people many times. It’s not my style. I mean, I’ll push people out, but it was a little more than I would’ve wanted. It was just because he went so deep into the corner. Sometimes it happens. You can rub pretty good in these IndyCars."
As with Newgarden, Rossi also improved on his starting position (eighth) but was disappointed not to make the podium, he also praised Newgarden on his progress through the field.
"He was just quicker," added Rossi. "He did a good job. … It was a good job by the #27 NAPA Andretti Honda boys. We’ll take a top-five. We’re still looking for a podium, but we’re trying."
The next race is the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 12-14.
