Race Report: 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey

WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Sega
Sept. 19, 2021

Use the tabs or menu above to view session results, schedule, entrant facts, weather forecast, track facts and history.

Race Top Five

RankDriverCar No.Laps LedPoints
1Colton Herta269154
2Alex Palou10-40
3Romain Grosjean51436
4Graham Rahal15-32
5Pato O'Ward5-30

View the Results tab for full results.

Post-Race

Box ScoreView PDF
Event SummaryView PDF
Lap ChartView PDF
Leader Lap SummaryView PDF
Pit Stop SummaryView PDF
Top Section TimesView PDF
Section ResultsView PDF

Sessions

Results

Race

RankDriverCar No.StartLapsTotal TimeLaps LedStatusPointsAvg. SpeedPit Stops
1Colton Herta2619502:02:31.544491Running54104.1143
2Alex Palou1049502:02:33.5191-Running40104.0863
3Romain Grosjean51139502:02:35.25314Running36104.0613
4Graham Rahal15129502:02:45.4060-Running32103.9183
5Pato O'Ward569502:02:56.2416-Running30103.7653
6Marcus Ericsson879502:03:00.0476-Running28103.7123
7Josef Newgarden2179502:03:01.2711-Running26103.6944
8Simon Pagenaud2299502:03:01.9659-Running24103.6853
9Oliver Askew4559502:03:04.0119-Running22103.6563
10Ed Jones18149502:03:19.5388-Running20103.4383
11Ryan Hunter-Reay28199502:03:38.7287-Running19103.1713
12Scott McLaughlin3169502:03:45.0384-Running18103.0833
13Scott Dixon989502:03:47.9039-Running17103.0433
14Sebastien Bourdais14219402:02:40.5006-Running16102.8923
15Jack Harvey60209402:02:43.2209-Running15102.8543
16Conor Daly20189402:02:43.6016-Running14102.8493
17Jimmie Johnson48259402:02:48.9496-Running13102.7744
18Rinus VeeKay21249402:02:54.6342-Running12102.6955
19Felix Rosenqvist7159402:02:57.8349-Running11102.6514
20James Hinchcliffe29119402:03:02.3441-Running10102.5884
21Max Chilton59109402:03:04.2597-Running9102.5614
22Callum Ilott77269402:03:20.1491-Running8102.3415
23Dalton Kellett4279402:03:29.1560-Running7102.2173
24Helio Castroneves6229402:03:29.7010-Running6102.2094
25Alexander Rossi2729302:02:40.5534-Running5101.7973
26Will Power1239302:03:39.5249-Running5100.9883
27Takuma Sato30238301:58:02.7729-Mechanical594.4144
— Race: Results (PDF) | Back to the session list

Session Notes:

  • The 2021 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey was 95 laps on the 11-turn, 2.238-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca road course totaling 214.51 miles.
  • The pit road speed limit was 50 mph and the pit window was 28–33 laps under green-flag conditions.
  • Fifteen minutes prior to the scheduled green-flag time, the ambient temperature was 73 degrees with 49% relative humidity and sunny skies. The track temperature was 101 degrees according to Firestone engineers.
  • At 12:23 p.m. PDT, grand marshal Alfonso Ribeiro gave the command to start engines. All 27 cars started and were rolling on the grid.
  • Pole sitter Colton Herta took the green flag and led the field up the hill into Turn 2. Felix Rosenqvist spun in the No. 7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet in Turn 3 but was able to continue.
  • On Lap 2, Alexander Rossi spun in Turn 5 after his No. 27 Andretti Autosport Honda made contact with the car of Herta while battling for the race lead. The incident brought out the only full-course caution of the race, which lasted until the conclusion of Lap 4 when green-flag racing resumed.
  • On Lap 10, Will Power pitted the No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet with an apparent mechanical issue, dropping him out of contention.
  • With all of the leaders employing a three-stop strategy, the final stint of the race featured Herta up front chased by championship leader Alex Palou in the second position and Rookie of the Year contender Romain Grosjean in the third position. Graham Rahal and championship contender Pato O'Ward completed the top five.
  • Herta took the checkered flag with a 1.9747-second advantage over Palou, securing his fifth career NTT IndyCar Series victory and his second consecutive win at Laguna Seca.
  • Palou's second-place finish allowed the Chip Ganassi Racing driver to gain points over O'Ward in the championship standings.
  • Unofficial points after the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey:
    1. Palou: 517
    2. O'Ward: 482 (-35)
    3. Newgarden: 469 (-48)
    4. Dixon: 445 (-72)
    5. Ericsson: 430 (-87)
    6. Herta: 402 (-115)

Warm-Up

RankDriverCar No.Best TimeOn LapBest SpeedTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Alexander Rossi2701:12.863215110.57415--.------.----
2Colton Herta2601:12.965116110.420160.10190.1019
3Takuma Sato3001:13.353915109.835150.49070.3888
4Ryan Hunter-Reay2801:13.46738109.665110.60410.1134
5Marcus Ericsson801:13.494012109.625150.63080.0267
6Josef Newgarden201:13.61809109.441170.75480.1240
7Graham Rahal1501:13.631717109.420170.76850.0137
8Ed Jones1801:13.662710109.374140.79950.0310
9Alex Palou1001:13.71819109.292170.85490.0554
10Romain Grosjean5101:13.73636109.265160.87310.0182
11Will Power1201:13.754410109.238160.89120.0181
12Helio Castroneves601:13.814810109.149140.95160.0604
13Sebastien Bourdais1401:13.841813109.109130.97860.0270
14Rinus VeeKay2101:13.87838109.055141.01510.0365
15Scott Dixon901:14.146013108.661131.28280.2677
16Max Chilton5901:14.19889108.584131.33560.0528
17Jimmie Johnson4801:14.19969108.583161.33640.0008
18Scott McLaughlin301:14.22499108.546171.36170.0253
19Oliver Askew4501:14.26208108.492111.39880.0371
20James Hinchcliffe2901:14.396212108.296121.53300.1342
21Pato O'Ward501:14.44869108.220171.58540.0524
22Felix Rosenqvist701:14.57769108.032171.71440.1290
23Jack Harvey6001:14.598210108.003131.73500.0206
24Simon Pagenaud2201:14.667411107.903141.80420.0692
25Dalton Kellett401:14.70229107.852141.83900.0348
26Conor Daly2001:14.714011107.835141.85080.0118
27Callum Ilott7701:15.90098106.149103.03771.1869
— Warm-up: Results | Back to the session list

Session Notes:

  • Warm-up for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey was 30 minutes in duration.
  • Nineteen minutes into the session, Callum Ilott went off course and made subsequent contact with the tire barrier in Turn 6 leading to an eight-minute red flag. Ilott was penalized five minutes for causing a red flag.
  • At the conclusion of the session, Alexander Rossi was fastest at 1:12.8632.

Qualifying

Firestone Fast 6
RankDriverCar No.Best TimeBest SpeedBest LapTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Colton Herta2601:10.7994113.79833--.------.----
2Alexander Rossi2701:10.9951113.484230.19570.1957
3Will Power1201:11.1317113.266230.33230.1366
4Alex Palou1001:11.3317112.948330.53230.2000
5Oliver Askew4501:11.8937112.065331.09430.5620
6Pato O'Ward501:24.271595.6052213.472112.3778
— Firestone Fast Six: Results (PDF) | Overall Results (PDF) | Back to session list

Session Notes:

  • Qualifying for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey consisted of three rounds, culminating in the Firestone Fast Six.
  • In the first round of qualifying, each group received 10 minutes of track time. The fastest six cars from each group advanced to Round 2, while the remaining cars were assigned positions 13–27. The first group was assigend the odd-numbered positions while the second group was assigned the even-numbered positions.
  • During Round 2, the 12 advancing cars received 10 minutes of track time. The fastest six advanced to the Firestone Fast Six shootout while the remaining six cars were ranked in positions 7–12 based on their fastest laps.
  • The Firestone Fast Six featured six minutes of guaranteed green-flag time. At the end of the session, the cars were ranked 1–6 based on their fastest laps with the fastest overall winning the NTT P1 Award.
  • Several penalties were handed out during qualifying:
    • Round 1 Group 2: Callum Ilott was penalized five minutes of track time for taking a lap after the checkered flag. He will serve the penalty at the end of the warm-up session.
    • Round 2: Graham Rahal lost his fastest lap for causing a local yellow that affected another competitor. Oliver Askew's fifth lap was invalidated for failing to slow through a local yellow.
    • Firestone Fast Six: Pato O'Ward was stripped of his fastest lap after spinning in the Corkscrew, bringing out a local yellow that affected another competitor. Will Power's third lap was invalidated for failing to slow through a local yellow.
  • Colton Herta's 1:10.7994 was the fastest lap of the Firestone Fast Six, securing the Andretti Autosport driver his second consecutive pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Round 2
RankDriverCar No.Best TimeBest SpeedBest LapTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Colton Herta2601:10.5847114.14466--.------.----
2Will Power1201:10.8333113.743660.24860.2486
3Alex Palou1001:10.8351113.740560.25040.0018
4Oliver Askew4501:10.9117113.617660.32700.0766
5Alexander Rossi2701:10.9169113.609560.33220.0052
6Pato O'Ward501:11.0220113.441660.43730.1051
7Marcus Ericsson801:11.2581113.065670.67340.2361
8Scott Dixon901:11.2768113.035770.69210.0187
9Simon Pagenaud2201:11.3067112.988770.72200.0299
10Max Chilton5901:11.3088112.985550.72410.0021
11James Hinchcliffe2901:11.4567112.751560.87200.1479
12Graham Rahal1501:12.5932110.986272.00851.1365
— Round 2: Results (PDF) | Back to session list

Round 1 Group 2
RankDriverCar No.Best TimeBest SpeedBest LapTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Felix Rosenqvist700:58.6912120.46888--.------.----
2Alex Palou1000:58.7971120.251880.10590.1059
3Colton Herta2600:58.8450120.153780.15380.0479
4Scott Dixon900:58.8684120.105880.17720.0234
5Ed Jones1800:58.9330119.974780.24180.0646
6Sebastien Bourdais1400:58.9390119.961880.24780.0060
7Will Power1200:59.0032119.831880.31200.0642
8Conor Daly2000:59.0974119.640780.40620.0942
9Josef Newgarden200:59.1371119.559990.44590.0397
10Jack Harvey6000:59.1463119.541680.45510.0092
11Rinus VeeKay2100:59.1885119.456780.49730.0422
12Takuma Sato3000:59.1953119.442880.50410.0068
13Simon Pagenaud2200:59.6591118.513880.96790.4638
14Dalton Kellett400:59.7438118.345881.05260.0847
— Round 1 Group 2: Results (PDF) | Back to session list

Round 1 Group 1
RankDriverCar No.Best TimeBest SpeedBest LapTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Colton Herta2601:10.9020113.63355--.------.----
2Graham Rahal1501:10.9915113.490770.08950.0895
3Pato O'Ward501:11.2992113.000670.39720.3077
4Marcus Ericsson801:11.3179112.970670.41590.0187
5Simon Pagenaud2201:11.3775112.876670.47550.0596
6Scott Dixon901:11.5276112.639670.62560.1501
7Romain Grosjean5101:11.5303112.635770.62830.0027
8Felix Rosenqvist701:11.5446112.612660.64260.0143
9Josef Newgarden201:11.5503112.603770.64830.0057
10Ryan Hunter-Reay2801:11.6721112.412660.77010.1218
11Sebastien Bourdais1401:11.9776111.935671.07560.3055
12Takuma Sato3001:12.1443111.676771.24230.1667
13Jimmie Johnson4801:12.2865111.456671.38450.1422
— Round 1 Group 1: Results (PDF) | Back to session list

Practice 2

RankDriverCar No.Best TimeOn LapBest SpeedTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Scott McLaughlin301:10.875516113.67516--.------.----
2Colton Herta2601:11.022416113.440160.14690.1469
3Alex Palou1001:11.031217113.426170.15570.0088
4Simon Pagenaud2201:11.338117112.938170.46260.3069
5Will Power1201:11.393614112.850140.51810.0555
6Felix Rosenqvist701:11.460013112.746130.58450.0664
7Alexander Rossi2701:11.491213112.696140.61570.0312
8Ryan Hunter-Reay2801:11.52079112.65090.64520.0295
9Ed Jones1801:11.580617112.556170.70510.0599
10Josef Newgarden201:11.611614112.507140.73610.0310
11Jack Harvey6001:11.703810112.362100.82830.0922
12Marcus Ericsson801:11.716211112.343110.84070.0124
13James Hinchcliffe2901:11.722514112.333140.84700.0063
14Graham Rahal1501:11.844512112.142130.96900.1220
15Oliver Askew4501:11.921415112.022151.04590.0769
16Romain Grosjean5101:12.05087111.821111.17530.1294
17Max Chilton5901:12.059614111.807141.18410.0088
18Scott Dixon901:12.095215111.752151.21970.0356
19Callum Ilott7701:12.111716111.727161.23620.0165
20Pato O'Ward501:12.134812111.691121.25930.0231
21Helio Castroneves601:12.281715111.464151.40620.1469
22Sebastien Bourdais1401:12.333511111.384111.45800.0518
23Conor Daly2001:12.412615111.262151.53710.0791
24Jimmie Johnson4801:12.431014111.234181.55550.0184
25Rinus VeeKay2101:12.585810110.997121.71030.1548
26Takuma Sato3001:12.867710110.568151.99220.2819
27Dalton Kellett401:13.03053110.32132.15500.1628
— Practice 2: Results | Back to the session list

Session Notes:

  • Like the weekend's first practice at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Practice 2 was 45 minutes in duration.
  • Seven minutes into the session, Dalton Kellett triggered a lengthy red flag when he made contact with the barrier in Turn 4. The AJ Foyt Racing driver was assessed a five-minute time penalty for causing a red flag. The session resumed 12 minutes later with 26 minutes remaining on the clock.
  • A second red flag ate up time near the end of practice when Rinus VeeKay made contact with the Turn 4 barrier with 11 minutes to go. The stoppage lasted seven minutes, and Practice 2 resumed with less than four minutes to go. VeeKay was assessed a five-minute time penalty for causing a red flag.
  • At the conclusion of practice, Scott McLaughlin's 1:10.8755 in the No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet was fastest overall. It was McLaughlin's first time topping an NTT IndyCar Series session.

Practice 1

RankDriverCar No.Best TimeOn LapBest SpeedTotal LapsDifferenceGap
1Josef Newgarden201:11.71254112.34911--.------.----
2Colton Herta2601:11.79274112.223100.08020.0802
3Alex Palou1001:11.97504111.939140.26250.1823
4Ed Jones1801:12.01667111.874160.30410.0416
5Alexander Rossi2701:12.06254111.803120.35000.0459
6Oliver Askew4501:12.151614111.665180.43910.0891
7James Hinchcliffe2901:12.188515111.608160.47600.0369
8Jack Harvey6001:12.22894111.545130.51640.0404
9Romain Grosjean5101:12.32106111.403170.60850.0921
10Marcus Ericsson801:12.35649111.349120.64390.0354
11Scott Dixon901:12.44155111.218110.72900.0851
12Scott McLaughlin301:12.446217111.211170.73370.0047
13Helio Castroneves601:12.47575111.166150.76320.0295
14Pato O'Ward501:12.49824111.131110.78570.0225
15Will Power1201:12.57015111.021180.85760.0719
16Felix Rosenqvist701:12.70146110.820130.98890.1313
17Graham Rahal1501:12.84866110.596131.13610.1472
18Sebastien Bourdais1401:12.95065110.442141.23810.1020
19Takuma Sato3001:12.99235110.379151.27980.0417
20Simon Pagenaud2201:13.03187110.319101.31930.0395
21Rinus VeeKay2101:13.07178110.259151.35920.0399
22Ryan Hunter-Reay2801:13.10243110.213131.38990.0307
23Conor Daly2001:13.140311110.155151.42780.0379
24Jimmie Johnson4801:13.26097109.974181.54840.1206
25Max Chilton5901:13.39808109.769161.68550.1371
26Dalton Kellett401:13.72566109.281172.01310.3276
27Callum Ilott7701:13.73985109.260202.02730.0142
— Practice 1: Results | Back to the session list

Session Notes:

  • The Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey race weekend began with a 45-minute practice session on the 11-turn, 2.258-mile WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca road course.
  • Twenty-seven minutes into practice, Helio Castroneves ran off course in the No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Honda and came to rest outside of Turn 2. He required assistance from the AMR INDYCAR Safety Team but was able to resume. Castroneves was assessed a five-minute time penalty for causing a red flag.
  • With less then 10 seconds remaining on the clock, a red flag was displayed for Scott McLaughlin whose No. 3 Team Penske Chevrolet had stopped on course in Turn 6.
  • Josef Newgarden's 1:11.7125 was the fastest lap of the session.

 

Green Flag12:30 p.m. PDT *
Drivers Start Your Engines12:23 p.m.
Race Broadcast3 p.m. EDT on NBC and Peacock Premium
Qualifying2:05 p.m. Saturday
Qualifying Broadcast5:05 p.m. EDT Saturday on Peacock Premium
Practice Sessions2:30–3:15 p.m. Friday
10:45–11:30 a.m. Saturday
9–9:30 a.m. Sunday (warm-up)
Full Weekend ScheduleView PDF
Live Timing and ScoringINDYCAR Race Control and INDYCAR Mobile app (iOS, Android).
Radio BroadcastINDYCAR Radio Network affiliates, SiriusXM 205, IndyCar.com and on the INDYCAR Mobile app (iOS, Android).
Video StreamingAll NTT IndyCar Series practice sessions and qualifying will stream live on Peacock Premium, NBC’s direct-to-consumer livestreaming product.
* All times are in Pacific Daylight Time unless otherwise noted. View the green-flag time in all time zones.

Entry ListView Table
Spotter GuideView Interactive
Pit AssignmentsView PDF
Push-to-Pass Parameters150 seconds of total time with a maximum time of 15 seconds per activation.
Tires Available per EntrySix sets primary, four sets alternate. Teams must use one set of primary and one new set of alternate tires in the race. (Note: A seventh set of primary tires is available to any car fielding a rookie driver.)

Starting Lineup

SPCar No.DriverEngineTire
126Colton HertaHondaAlternate
227Alexander RossiHondaAlternate
312Will PowerChevroletAlternate
410Alex PalouHondaAlternate
545Oliver AskewHondaAlternate
65Pato O'WardChevroletPrimary
78Marcus EricssonHondaAlternate
89Scott DixonHondaAlternate
922Simon PagenaudChevroletAlternate
1059Max ChiltonChevroletPrimary
1129James HinchcliffeHondaPrimary
1215Graham RahalHondaPrimary
1351Romain Grosjean (R)HondaAlternate
1418Ed JonesHondaAlternate
157Felix RosenqvistChevroletAlternate
163Scott McLaughlin (R)ChevroletPrimary
172Josef NewgardenChevroletPrimary
1820Conor DalyChevroletPrimary
1928Ryan Hunter-ReayHondaAlternate
2060Jack HarveyHondaAlternate
2114Sebastien BourdaisChevroletAlternate
2206Helio CastronevesHondaPrimary
2330Takuma SatoHondaPrimary
2421Rinus VeeKayChevroletPrimary
2548Jimmie Johnson (R)HondaAlternate
2677Callum Ilott (R)ChevroletPrimary
274Dalton KellettChevroletPrimary
(R) Rookie
— Starting Lineup: PDF

Entry List

Car No.DriverHometownSponsorTeamEngine
2Josef NewgardenNashville, Tennessee, USAHitachiTeam PenskeChevrolet
3Scott McLaughlin (R)Christchurch, New ZealandPPGTeam PenskeChevrolet
4Dalton KellettStouffville, CanadaK-Line InsulatorsAJ Foyt RacingChevrolet
5Pato O'WardMonterrey, MexicoArrow McLaren SPArrow McLaren SPChevrolet
06Helio CastronevesSao Paulo, BrazilMeyer Shank RacingMeyer Shank RacingHonda
7Felix RosenqvistVärnamo, SwedenArrow McLaren SPArrow McLaren SPChevrolet
8Marcus EricssonKumla, SwedenHuski ChocolateChip Ganassi RacingHonda
9Scott DixonAuckland, New ZealandPNC Bank Grow Up GreatChip Ganassi RacingHonda
10Alex PalouBarcelona, SpainNTT DataChip Ganassi RacingHonda
12Will PowerToowoomba, AustraliaVerizon 5GTeam PenskeChevrolet
14Sebastien BourdaisLe Mans, FranceROKiTAJ Foyt RacingChevrolet
15Graham RahalNew Albany, Ohio, USAUnited RentalsRahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
18Ed JonesDubai, United Arab EmiratesSealMasterDale Coyne Racing with Vasser SullivanHonda
20Conor DalyNoblesville, Indiana, USAU.S. Air ForceEd Carpenter RacingChevrolet
21Rinus VeeKayHoofddorp, NetherlandsSonax / AutogeekEd Carpenter RacingChevrolet
22Simon PagenaudMontmorillon, FranceMenardsTeam PenskeChevrolet
26Colton HertaValencia, California, USAGainbridgeAndretti AutosportHonda
27Alexander RossiNevada City, California, USANAPA Auto Parts / AutoNationAndretti AutosportHonda
28Ryan Hunter-ReayFort Lauderdale, Florida, USADHLAndretti AutosportHonda
29James HinchcliffeToronto, CanadaGenesysAndretti AutosportHonda
30Takuma SatoTokyo, JapanPanasonic / Mi-JackRahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
45Oliver AskewJupiter, Florida, USAHy-VeeRahal Letterman Lanigan RacingHonda
48Jimmie Johnson (R)El Cajon, California, USACarvanaChip Ganassi RacingHonda
51Romain Grosjean (R)Geneva, SwitzerlandNurtec ODTDale Coyne Racing with RWRHonda
59Max ChiltonReigate, EnglandCarlinCarlinChevrolet
60Jack HarveyBassingham, EnglandAutoNation / SiriusXMMeyer Shank RacingHonda
77Callum IlottCambridge, EnglandJuncos Hollinger RacingJuncos Hollinger RacingChevrolet
(R) — Denotes NTT IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year candidate
— Entry List: PDF

SALINAS WEATHER

Track TypeRoad course
Length2.258 miles
Race Distance95 laps (214.51 miles)
Number of Turns11
DirectionCounter-clockwise
Track Map
2021 Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey track map
Credit: INDYCAR
Event Twitter Account & Hashtag@WeatherTechRcwy, #FirestoneGP

Past Driver Performance IndexView PDF
Last Five Wins— 2019: Colton Herta, Harding Steinbrenner Racing
— 2004: Patrick Carpentier, Forsythe Championship Racing
— 2003: Patrick Carpentier, Team Player's
— 2002: Cristiano da Matta, Newman/Haas Racing
— 2001: Max Papis, Team Rahal
Last Five Poles— 2019: Colton Herta, Harding Steinbrenner Racing (1:10.1405)
— 2004: Sebastien Bourdais, Newman/Haas Racing (1:09.358)
— 2003: Patrick Carpentier, Team Player's (1:09.575)
— 2002: Cristiano da Matta, Newman/Haas Racing (1:09.473)
— 2001: Gil de Ferran, Team Penske (1:08.596)
Qualifying Lap Record1:07.722 (Helio Castroneves of Team Penske on Sept. 8, 2000)

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