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Marcus Ericsson, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
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How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential

Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise

Marcus Ericsson has long been something of an enigma. Many who worked with him, across Formula BMW, F3, GP2 and F1, were adamant that he was genuinely quick. Yet his inconsistency, especially in qualifying, was maddening – combined with an unfair share of random mishaps that often seemed to get him down.

It's been a long-held view of this writer that if someone could help him get over whatever stumbling block it was that held him back, he’d be a real weapon at any level. And, according to those close to him, there’s been a “light-switch change” that’s resulted in two IndyCar Series wins and a top-six points finish in 2021.

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