Blockbuster Indiana Jones
UAE flag flies over world famous Brickyard oval for first time — but Dubai-based star wants more
Dubai-based Briton Ed Jones labelled a podium finish on his Indy 500 debut on Sunday as “frustrating” because he felt he had the car to win. The 22-year-old, who began karting in the UAE aged nine, finished third in the 101st edition of the legendary 200-lap race behind winner Takuma Sato of Japan and second-placed Helio Castroneves of Brazil.
Spanish double Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso also skipped the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday in order to take part in this year’s Indy 500, but was forced to retire with 21 laps remaining due to engine failure.
Not only is it Jones’ best finish in his rookie year in the IndyCar Series, but it is also his team Dale Coyne Racing’s best finish in 11 appearances in this event, known as ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Sport’ — and the first time a UAE flag has flown victorious over the world famous Brickyard oval.
However, if it wasn’t for damage sustained to his car after driving over debris from an earlier accident involving Scott Dixon and Jay Howard on lap 53, Jones, who started from 11th on the grid, feels he could have snatched victory.
“It was a great race for us, I had a great car all month,” he said. “We were running through traffic, but the whole race was so up and down for us.
“It was a solid start, we were running in the top 10-11 for most of the first half. Then when Dixon had his crash, thankfully those guys are OK, but I ran over some debris and it damaged the floor and the rear wing.
“We had to change the rear wing and it sent me to the back of the field, then we had to claw our way back up again. We got some luck back with the last yellow as we pitted right before it, so it put us near the front.
“But then I had some bad luck again, I damaged my front wing and it put a big hole in it, my legs got pretty cold to be honest. I had wind blowing into them like crazy. It also created a lot of drag.
Life-changing achievement
“I was really good catching up to the other guys in the corners but as soon as we got to the straights I couldn’t tow up to them. We just lacked that straight line speed for the last 40 laps. It was very hard for me to defend or attack. Which is frustrating because, we had the car to win today.”
Jones’ initial disappointment will no doubt subside once the enormity of what he has achieved sinks in.
Indy 500 is one of motorsport’s big three events along with F1’s Monaco Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with champions of all three declared Triple Crown winners. Only Britain’s Graham Hill has achieved the feat to date.
However, even just registering a podium finish in either event is a lifechanging achievement especially for a driver as young as Jones, and this will no doubt be a turning point in his career after the initial success of winning the European F3 Open Championship in 2013 and the Indy Lights Series last year.
England coach Eddie Jones said the British and Irish Lions will “struggle” to beat the All Blacks in their three-Test series because of the tactics of their coach, Warren Gatland.
Jones said the Lions, who are expected to favour Gatland’s “Warrenball” approach of powerful, direct running, must win the first Test on June 24 or be prepared for a “tough old series”.
“It is going to be very tough for them mate,” Jones told the London Telegraph’s Full Contact podcast.
“They have picked a certain style of team based on the influence of the Welsh coaches. So I think they are looking to attack like Wales with big, gainline runners with not much ball movement.
“I think you struggle to beat the All Blacks like that.” Gatland, who is Wales’s head coach, led the Lions to a 2-1 victory over Australia on their last tour in 2013.
The New Zealander has Wales’s Rob Howley and Neil Jenkins in his backroom staff, along with England’s Steve Borthwick, Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree.
“The All Blacks are not only a physical contest, it is a big mental contest,” warned Jones, who orchestrated five wins over New Zealand when he was coach of Australia.
“You have to be very disciplined in the way you play, you’ve got to chip away at them.
“You’ve got to keep the pressure on, you’ve got to exert pressure in areas that they don’t like, which is traditionally the close set-piece play but then have the ability when you create opportunities, to turn that into points.
“Ireland did it really well and I think the Lions are going to struggle. If they win the first Test, they win the series. If they don’t, I think it might be a tough old series for them.”
Gatland has said he takes inspiration from Ireland’s shock victory over New Zealand in Chicago last year, which halted a world-record run of 18 straight victories.
Jones added that while Gatland’s Wales play to a “system”, his England side — who have won the last two Six Nations — “play much more with our eyes open” and try to stay alive to opportunities.