Meyer Shank Racing’s Simon Pagenaud and Helio Castroneves endured a disappointing season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding after both drivers were forced to retire from the race following a first lap incident.
Speaking following the Helio Castroneves commented saying:
Great work by the AMR Safety Group, it is a shame that I had to try them out so early in the year. I have no idea what happened, I got hit from behind and then I saw a lot of cars flying around. It shows how the safety in these cars has improved, because that was a big crash and to see everybody come out of it OK is great.”
Simon Pagenaud in the No.60 AutoNation Sirius XM Honda said:
“I kind of expected (the crash) to be honest. It has been a tricky area all weekend. I had no room to go. I thought I was going to get through. I thought I had made it. Unfortunately, I am paying a high price for yesterday’s mistake in qualifying. But we will regroup, we have fast cars at Meyer Shank Racing and we’ll be alright