---
title: "Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens’ IndyCar Collision: Who’s to Blame?"
description: "Did Rossi's lack of judgment spoil a rookie's dream, or was it simply a racing accident?"
date: "2018-03-12"
modified: "2018-03-12"
authors:
  - name: "Jerry Perez"
    job_title: "Deputy Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19153/alexander-rossi-and-robert-wickens-indycar-collision-whos-to-blame"
categories:
  - "News"
  - "Racing"
tags:
  - "Alexander Rossi"
  - "Crash"
  - "indycar"
  - "racing"
  - "Racing News"
---

# Alexander Rossi and Robert Wickens’ IndyCar Collision: Who’s to Blame?

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/03/screen-shot-2018-03-11-at-10-59-04-pm.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

The initial race of the [2018 IndyCar season](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19113/indycar-kicks-off-this-weekend-at-the-grand-prix-of-st-petersburg>) is now in the books, and by all means, the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg was more exciting than anyone could've predicted. In fact, it was damn near perfect until the very end.

With just two laps to go, IndyCar rookie Robert Wickens and Alexander Rossi [collided](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/19130/indycars-chip-ganassi-motorhome-involved-in-crappy-collision>) while fighting for the lead as they headed into turn one. Or should I say, Rossi wiped out Wickens?

On one end we have an IndyCar rookie who isn't much of a rookie at all. In fact, the Canadian is a former Mercedes-AMG factory driver in the extremely competitive [Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/13606/audi-skeptical-about-two-manufacturer-dtm-series-calls-it-hard-to-imagine>), aka DTM, where he was specifically picked for the job by Toto Wolff. On the other end, we have Rossi, whose experience in [Formula 1](<https://www.thedrive.com/accelerator/18735/heres-how-the-2018-formula-1-liveries-shouldve-looked>), GP2, GP3, and title of Indy 500 winner made everyone, including myself, expect more in terms of judgment under heavy breaking in an area known for poor grip due to marbles.

Wickens could've gone down in history as the rookie who took pole position and won an IndyCar race on his very first try, but instead, he's going home empty-handed. So, after watching the [video](<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UC2CujL0nw&feature=youtu.be>), who's at fault?

https://youtube.com/embed/8UC2CujL0nw

## Author
Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/drive_jerry/>)