Colton Herta made a humorous remark about Alex Palou’s crucial mistake at the final moments of the Indy 200 at Mid Ohio, which cost him the race win. During a post-race interview following the Donohue event, Herta reflected on the various strategic choices that unfolded during the race and immediately highlighted Palou’s error. The Andretti driver expressed surprise, saying, “I can’t tell him I’m not feeling well. He’s pretty flawless, so I’m shocked he made such a mistake.”
In 2024, Alex Palou has faced several challenges, including the costly slip-up that allowed Scott Dixon to take the lead and ultimately win the final race. Palou lost significant time after putting two tires on the grass exiting turn 9. Dixon, using his experience, defended his position well and forced Palou behind him. Though Palou tried hard to regain the position, he made another mistake at a corner resembling a keyhole.
Herta’s comments came against the backdrop of Palou’s impressive season, with six wins in 10 races and near-perfection overall. Meanwhile, Herta himself had yet to win a race in the season but had a strong weekend at Mid Ohio, demonstrating good pace and competitiveness. Despite this, he believed there was more he could have done, especially after initially challenging for victory.
Herta acknowledged that his qualifying performance held him back, having started the race in fifth position. He mentioned struggling to pass Kaifin Simpson, who later faced technical issues, but overall found it tough to make up ground, ultimately finishing a respectable fourth. He said, “I moved up one spot from where I started, but I think I should have qualified third. I dropped the ball. If I hadn’t, our race might have unfolded differently, not stuck behind Kaifin and Seigel early on.”
As of now, Herta is placed seventh in the championship standings.
Fan Take: This incident highlights just how tight and unpredictable IndyCar racing can be, where even the best drivers can slip up under pressure. For fans, it underscores the excitement and drama of each race, promising a thrilling championship battle as seasoned veterans and rising stars push their limits.
