Scott Dixon Photo: Photosport
New Zealand driver Scott Dixon overcame the loss of his team radio to finish second in the IndyCars opening round in Florida.
Dixon, who started sixth on the grid, finished behind Chip Ganassi team-mate and series champion Alex Palou.
The 44-year old felt he would have had a better shot at winning if he'd had help from pit lane.
"We had no radio so just flying blind out there .
"Definitely frustrating I think we had the speed, we had a great car, would have just been nice to have a radio so I knew what was going on out there (in regard to pitting strategy).
Dixon, 44, who was entering his 25th year in top class racing in North America, admits it was a tough not knowing if he was getting the fuel mileage he needed to get to the next (pit) window which then affected his total race strategy.
Photo: Photosport Ltd 2020
"Ultimately it cost us the race."
It was the third time Dixon has finished runner-up at the street race in St Petersburg.
Meanwhile Palou kicked off his pursuit of a fourth IndyCar championship with victory in the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg.
It was the 12th career IndyCar victory for the 27-year-old Spaniard, who is seeking his third consecutive title.
"It's huge. It's huge. I'm super happy," he said. "I've been working really hard. It's been a place that we've struggled a lot at in the past. Especially me, personally.
"So to start with a win in 2025 is amazing."
Pole-sitter Scott McLaughlin finished fourth while the third New Zealander in the field, Marcus Armstrong failed to finish.
-RNZ/Reuters
