Indy 500 Winner Marcus Ericsson's Journey From Formula 1 to IndyCar

This is and always will be the greatest spectacle in racing. This is the Indianapolis 500.

[INAUDIBLE] Ericsson. Ferrucci. You did it, buddy. You just won the Indy 500. Marcus Ericsson wins the Indianapolis 500 in the most dramatic way. [CHEERING]

Marcus Ericsson, the winner of the 106th running of the Indianapolis 500. Welcome to "Young Hollywood". You've had one very interesting week. Congratulations.

Yeah, thank you so much. It's been crazy. I still sort of struggle to understand that it actually really happened, you know. I'm pinching myself. I'm like, is this real? [LAUGHS] Am I in a dream? But, no, it's been incredible, you know. It's the biggest race in the world and to win it, it's just something I've been dreaming of for all my life, almost. And, you know, to achieve that is just, yeah, extremely special.

Take me back to the very beginning. For those that may not know you, you're from Sweden. You're 31. You've been here about a minute, it seems. So break down your beginnings before you got to the US.

So I started with go-karts at a young age. I was eight years old, I think, in back in Sweden, and did that and sort of got picked up when I was 15 to a program, like a talent scouting program, let's say. And they helped me take the step up to cars. And I was running through, like, different categories in Europe, racing cars there, and got all the way to Formula 1. And was in Formula 1 for five years, which was amazing. I love that. But it was tough playing with Formula 1. It's that it's a lot about being in the best cars, and then it's quite big differences between big teams and smaller teams, so it was quite tough. I didn't really get the results I felt like I should have had. So when that stint ended, I headed to America, to IndyCar. And I've been here now four years and been sort of making steady progress every year. And had a bit of a breakthrough last year, winning two races and finishing sixth in the championship. And then sort of been going even better this year. And, obviously, winning the Indy 500 was the big sort of icing on the cake so far.

So many American drivers want to get to Formula 1 and you came from there and you reached your success here. So, [LAUGHS] I mean, do you want to just tell them, no, stay right here. You're good. It's good here. [LAUGHS]

No, you know, I think Formula 1 is amazing. It's on the world stage. It's extremely big, you know, and it's all over the world. So I'm happy I did it. You know, it was an amazing experience and it was a dream of mine to drive in Formula 1. So I think, you know, especially if you get a chance to drive with one of the bigger teams, it's incredible. I think the problem I had was that I was running in smaller teams towards the back of the grid most of my time. And that was very frustrating because, you know, like in anything, if you feel like you're developing, you feel like you're becoming better, but you can't show that because of the material you have available, that becomes a frustration. So I think that was the problem for me and that was why I wanted to have this fresh start and come to America. And I feel like in the car, where I am now, it's more a level playing field. It's more like everyone on the grid has the chance to win, and it's more up to the driver and your team to sort of try and optimize the races. So, for me, like I said, I don't like to say, like, oh, F1 or IndyCar, which one's the best. I think both are great in their own ways, you know. F1 was good, but I love being in Indycar at the moment.

Well, I mean, you wouldn't have gotten to where you are now if you didn't have F1. So, I mean, you can--

Exactly.

--look at it that way, right?

Yeah. Right, exactly.

And so, you talked about your team. Let's talk about your teammates who actually, obviously, wanted to win themselves. But here you are having Scott Dixon and Jimmie Johnson, in their own ways, help you succeed and win. [LAUGHS] I mean--

Yeah, it--

--thanks guys. [LAUGHS]

[LAUGHS] It is truly a team effort, you know. It is, you know, the driver that sort of crosses the finish line, but it's all about the team, you know. You have your pit wall with the engineers and strategists. You have your pit crew and mechanics. They're doing the pit stops. And then you have your teammates that you work with all weekend and all month of May, like it is for the 500, to help set up your car. And even the race, work together. So it truly is a team sport in that sense, and-- but in the end of the day, of course, everyone wants to win, so I'm very proud and happy about that. But I have great teammates and I'm sure they're going to make life hard for me going forward and trying, you know, try and beat me. But that's how it should be.

So did they talk to you after the race and say, oh man? Or, obviously, it's all congratulatory and special.

Yeah, no. I mean, all my teammates came up and then was congratulating me on the win, you know. They know how big this win is. And like you said, you know, it's the biggest race in the world, so it's-- they were very happy for me. But, of course, also, in a way, I'm sure a bit disappointed that they didn't win. But, yeah, that's how it is, you know. Our sport is so competitive and it's-- yeah. It is what it is.

Yeah. I mean, so you won and, obviously, life changed in that moment. So you take your victory lap. You kiss the bricks. Like, break down what happened. And then you're, like, taken to New York, my hometown-- yay, the best city-- and you're just thrown into it. It's life changing.

Yeah, it is truly life-changing, you know. This race is so big that it's-- everyone says it's a life-changing event if you win it. And, for me, really, it's been just crazy, you know. From Sunday afternoon when I took the checkered flag, it's been pretty much a full minute-by-minute schedules since then, you know. Now we're here in, what, Thursday afternoon? And it's been just full-on. I haven't really had time to sit back and just sort of take a breath and try and think what has actually happened. It's just been full-on. We had a lot of media in Indianapolis on Sunday evening and then full day in Indianapolis on Monday with the media, and then a victory celebration banquet in the evening. And then we jumped on a jet to go to New York, got there at like 3:00 AM Tuesday morning. And 7:00 AM, I was up, going to the NASDAQ and ringing the opening bell there, which was so cool. I love that. It was such a cool experience. Went to the Empire State Building, to the secret top floor, which was so cool. And then--

Wait, the secret top floor?

Yeah. They say that's, you know, like they don't bring people there and I'd, like, not tell anyone. And now I'm telling everyone about it, so-- [LAUGHS] --I might be in trouble, but hey. It was so cool. I really love that. The view was just incredible, especially it was a beautiful day as well. And then finished off the day with going to the Yankees game and throwing the first pitch. So, like, hey, that's a pretty good day, huh?

It's a pretty good day. Did you expect it to be what it has been? And then, you left out getting your portrait taken for the big trophy.

Yeah.

It doesn't get better than that, right? [LAUGHS]

No, that is very true, you know. That is something that, you know, that trophy and this race and the history of it and all the winners over the years, to be in that club and have your face, like you say, they make the face of every winner on the actual trophy and that is just, it's so cool. And, you know, cool as in biggest trophy I've ever seen, you know. So to be on that, it's, you know, it's going to be there forever and you're always in the history of that win. So that's-- yeah, I'm very, very proud of that. We took the photos for that at 8:00 AM on Monday morning after I had two hours of sleep that night. So I'm not sure I looked my best. Let's put it that way. So let's see. [LAUGHS] Yeah. I hope there will be some more photo shoot for that trophy. I don't know.

No, I guess maybe that's when they take the picture for everybody? So everybody--

Maybe.

--looks kind of like-- Yeah. --sleep-deprived. [LAUGHS]

Yeah, maybe, maybe. [LAUGHS]

What's the first thing that you do after a win? Some people eat tacos. Some people eat barbecue. What do you got?

So it was really cool actually, because I had, coming from Sweden, I live here in the States now and I'm far away from my family and friends and so on. But I was so lucky to have my family, my mom and dad and one of my brothers, they were here. My girlfriend was here. My manager and my biggest support-- like, sponsor, has been there all my career. They were all there. So I got the chance to share that moment with all of them. And we actually went out and had dinner in Indianapolis, a late dinner on Sunday night. And it was just so amazing to share that with them. And you sit there and have a drink and just talk and enjoy the moment.

Now, your dad, if I'm correct, was a painter. Like, not even in this field. So, A, he's proud. B, how are your painting skills?

[LAUGHS] My painting skills are terrible. But, yeah, he's a house painter. He has his own company and has had that since-- I think he started actually the year I was born, so since 1990. So it's been a while. And my other brother, he's actually working in the company with my dad, which is really cool. But, yeah, my dad keeps telling me, it's good you're good at driving race cars because you were a terrible painter when you were young.

[LAUGHS] So how did you even convince your parents? They weren't even in the field. How did you convince them at a young age to say, this is what I need to do?

Yeah. It was funny. It was all by accident, almost. You know, I was-- there was a rental car thing, you know, rental car place, close to where I lived in Sweden. And I kept bugging my dad, like, I want to go there and drive. I want to go there and drive. And my dad didn't know better, so he was like, yeah, OK, let's go there. And we went there. I remember one summer when I was like eight years old, and I kept driving and driving and the guy who owned the place, his name was Fredrick, or is Fredrick Ekblom, and he's like a touring car driver in Sweden. So he saw, like, after a couple of times we went in, like, he saw me drive and he told my dad, like, are you guys, like-- is he racing go-karts? Or, what's going on? And my dad's like, oh, his, like, second time he drived. So he was shocked-- [LAUGHS] --like, the natural talent that I had. Yeah. So we kept going there, and then Fredrick helped my dad to buy a go-kart and, you know, help him get set up and start this whole crazy journey.

And on this crazy journey, you got a pretty impressive phone call this week. Do you want to, like, tell people who you got a phone call-- I mean, I could, like, break it to our viewers. But, I mean, I didn't get the phone call. It's pretty cool.

Yeah. No, it was funny because it was--

Let's just say it's the king of Sweden called you.

It is the king of Sweden.

The king of Sweden.

The funny thing is, he's actually calling my manager because I didn't have my phone on me, obviously, after finishing the race. And my manager don't have, like, he doesn't have the king of Sweden's number. So he sees this number, so he keeps, like, clicking and he's, like, declining this number all the time. And then the next morning, on Monday morning, this number calls again and he's like, OK, I better pick up because this guy's been calling me all day yesterday. He picks up, and it's the king of Sweden. [LAUGHS] So that was pretty crazy.

Wait, but that's not the first time you guys spoke, right? You guys are kind of pals.

Yeah, he's actually been a guest of mine in Monaco when I did Formula 1 there a couple of years back, so I know him a little bit and he's a huge racing fan. But nevertheless, you know, it's so cool to hear it from him and get the congratulations from him, you know. That means-- it means so much for me.

[LAUGHS] OK. Well, of course, like I said, you are from Sweden, and so I wanted to play a little game with you if you're up for it. It's called This or That, Swedish edition. Is that good for you?

Let's go. Yeah, let's go.

OK. So here we go. Swedish meatballs or pickled herring?

Swedish meatballs, easy.

OK. Why, do you have a good family recipe, or?

Yeah, but I think it's, you know, just classic, you know. Swedish meatballs, it's-- with that said, though, pickled herring is also really good, especially in the summer, so. Like, I was very quick on Swedish meatballs, now I'm having some second thoughts. But, yeah, I stick with the meatballs.

OK, cool. This one should be easy now. Absolut Vodka or milk?

[LAUGHS] Milk, of course. You know, milk is the winner's drink, right? So, always. But, I mean, is-- Absolut Vodka's good too, right?

Yeah. I mean, it's Swedish, so it's-- of course. This is Swedish edition This or That, so--

Yeah, yeah.

--everything on this list--

I hear you, I hear you.

--is from your home country.

[LAUGHS] Yeah, we're good.

OK. IKEA or H&M?

That's a hard one. I mean, I'm a big IKEA fan, and I have an IKEA close to me in Indianapolis. I go there quite often, you know--

Wait, breaking news. Wait, stop, breaking news. Marcus Ericsson is an IKEA fan? Like, straight up?

For sure. I mean, I'm Swedish. I got to love IKEA, you know. I grew up on IKEA, [LAUGHS] pretty much. I-- so I would pick IKEA. H&M is also great, but I'll take IKEA.

Wow. So do you have, like, the whole living room set? Like, is that your furniture in your home?

I have quite a few stuff from IKEA in my apartment, actually.

[LAUGHS] I think I just got you a sponsorship deal.

[LAUGHS] Yeah, yeah, bring it on.

OK, ABBA or Avicii?

Avicii.

Yeah, I figured.

ABBA is-- ABBA is, like, the biggest from Sweden, but I just think for me, you know, my generation, Avichii is-- he was so big. And then, you know, I have also, like, I've done some stuff with his dad with his foundation, Tim Bergling Foundation, so. I actually did this winter. I did a thing-- I did a special burger for, like, a burger chain in Sweden. And all the, like, $1 of each burger we sold that month went to the Tim Bergling Foundation. And we got in more than-- I think it was like $15,000 that we went to that. So that was super cool.

Very nice, very nice. Volvo or Saab?

Oh, Volvo.

Volvo. Or Honda if we're, you know, playing. But-- I mean--

This is the Swedish edition--

Yeah, you have to stick with--

--so I have to stick with Volvo or Saab. My first car was a Volvo 740 from 1990, the same year as me, so there you go.

Wait, it was still in the family? Or you guys bought it just late?

No, I bought it myself for like $800 or something.

How did you get the money?

I don't know. I saved up for it. And I was-- I had just turned 18 and, yeah, in Sweden, you have to be 18 to get a license. So I took my license the same day as I turned 18 and I bought the car for $800 from some, like, local guy in my hometown. It's quite funny.

Amazing. Do you guys still have it? Or, no, it's somewhere?

No. So, I sold it to a friend of mine and he crashed it around, like, a tree or something. Luckily, he was fine. But the car, not so much.

Well, I'm glad he's fine, but that car would have been worth something now.

Yeah, yeah. [LAUGHS]

OK, pop music only, because pop music originated in your home country, or Spotify on shuffle? Because Spotify originated in Sweden.

Spotify on shuffle, always. You know, that's one of my favorite apps in my life, really.

[LAUGHS] Wait, no kidding? Well, because it's from Sweden? Or just because?

I think, I mean, it's good it's from Sweden, but I just think it's good. I mean, I love music, so it's just good. Convenient.

What are you listening to these days? Now that we're talking about music.

Oh, I'm like, you know, listening to all kinds of music. That's the thing, like, I'm-- I like pop music, I would say, but I could also be like-- it's a bit of what mood I'm in. So sometimes I'm like, I love-- I'm, like, listening to a lot of rap, and then next week I'll love, like, classic rock from, like, the 80s. And, I don't know. I'm just a bit weird like that. I just switch, like, swing from all different directions from week to week.

Nice, nice. OK, outside to see the northern lights, or stay inside in an ice hotel?

Northern lights. But we do have the ice hotel--

I know.

--up Noth, which is pretty. I've never been, so it's definitely on my list to go there.

Cash in everything you want to do now because you'll just get-- [LAUGHS] --invites. You'll just get all the invites. You're going to the ice hotel next week. Well, no, you got a race. But maybe after. [LAUGHS]

[LAUGHS]

OK. And this is the big one, and I think you know, maybe, it's coming. Maybe not. I have to ask. You ready?

Bring it on.

Swedish Fish or Huski Chocolate?

[LAUGHS] Huski Chocolate.

[CHEERS] Who doesn't love chocolate milk, right? Well, I mean, now that we're talking about it, is this just a gimmick? Or, what's with Swedish Fish? Do you guys really have these? Or it's just a gimmick, really.

Before I went to America, I'd never seen it in my life.

Wait--

No one-- no one in Sweden knows what Swedish Fish is. [LAUGHS]

We're breaking news. So you're saying, and trust me, I did my research on this before the interview, you guys have candy that looks like this? But I think it's just--

It's just candy. So-- so, OK-- I have no idea how this, like, why it's called Swedish Fish. Like, it's red, like, it's nothing to do with Sweden. Nothing. I mean, the package is blue and yellow, I can sort of see. But, like, it's red fish, like candy. It's a bit of a mystery, I got to say. It's pretty tasty though. Like, a pretty good candy. I'll take that.

OK, so we just figured out at the end of this lovely interview that Swedish Fish have nothing to do with Sweden and we don't know how it got its name.

Yeah, pretty much. That's the conclusion, yeah.

We've got a mystery on our hands. [LAUGHS] You know what? Now I'm going to try and figure this out, because I couldn't figure it out before. This is a mystery. Yeah, yeah. I agree.

Well, what's your go-to candy, then?

I'm have a weak spot for chocolate. I got to say that. Yeah, I, like, I don't know. I go to IKEA and buy, like, Swedish chocolate there. It's pretty good. You should try that. They have good Swedish chocolate.

That's on my list. And then when you go to IKEA, you can have the Swedish meatballs.

Exactly. There you go. Swedish meatballs, Swedish candy. Buy some-- you know, it's just good to hang around there, you know. Good vibe. You have all these Swedish names on all this stuff, you know, that no one can pronounce here in the States, which is quite funny. No one. It's good.

I know, right? So what would you say to end this interview in Swedish?

I would say, [SPEAKING SWEDISH] And now in English. I hope it was all PG. [LAUGHS] It was all good. I was behaving, I promise. [LAUGHS] And I was just thanking you for the interview. It's been a lot of fun. See you later.

Absolutely. And good luck the rest of the season, and congratulations, again.

Thank you so much. Have a good one. [MUSIC PLAYING] The biggest race in the world, and something we all work so much towards. And we all dream of winning this race. It was a true team effort and I'm very, very proud to be the champion.