How Indy500's Marcus Ericsson stays alert at over 200mph during his upcoming race
Racing fans are gearing up for the next Indy 500 (or Indianapolis 500) taking place on May 25, 2025. This intense 500-mile race sees speeds of over 200 miles per hour, and absolute concentration is a must for drivers at hairpin turns and speedy overtakes.
Marcus Ericsson is one such driver, hoping to cinch the Indianapolis 500 trophy this year — his previous win was in 2022. With a Formula 1 legacy, and over five years in IndyCar, Ericsson knows what it's like to stay focused at breakneck speeds.
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His most recent collaboration with Allegra is his little secret to staying consistently focused on the track. "I have seasonal allergies, so Allegra is a product that works really well with my lifestyle," he says. "The zero brain fog experience, the non-drowsy formula — staying sharp is key for me. Not only in racing, but also in my training and day-to-day routine."
His pre-race routine is simple: an Allegra to keep the allergies at bay, and staying in the moment before the race begins. "At those speeds, every split second counts," he adds. "If you lose focus, that could mean crashing. So I just try to stay as present and focused as possible."
He also says that a good night's sleep and ample hydration is a must during race day. "The biggest thing for me is hydration and fueling my body right — eating well, staying hydrated, and getting sleep. Those are my main priorities to make sure I'm physically and mentally ready when I get in the car."
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Just like baseball stars or soccer championship winners prep their body for their game, Ericsson follows a similar routine — making sure his fitness and agility is at 100 percent before he gets in the car. "We deal with a lot of G-forces, there's no power steering, and it's physically tough — mentally too. So we really do have to prepare like any other athlete would before a big game."
To do this, Ericsson does a ton of reaction time training, making sure he can stay on top of the track at every millisecond, without losing out to his opponents. Fans can test their reaction time themselves with Allegra leading up to the race day, via a gamified experience on allegra.com.
Then on the big day, race-goers need to be ready to quickly scan QR codes on Andretti Global's pit crew, for a chance to win amazing prizes — including tickets to an upcoming Indy500. "It's a great way to interact live during the race," says Ericsson.
Once the 500-mile track is behind him, Ericsson likes to relax and restore his body by using ice baths. "I have that love-hate relationship with ice baths," he says. "You just go numb. But yeah, it's definitely good for recovery."
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He also loves doing pilates, in order to get in shape and rest and recover before and after races. His main advice though? Staying fueled with his trusty water bottle and making sure he's healthy enough to take on every race.
"I try to keep it simple. It's really just me and a bottle of water," he says. And there you have it, Ericsson's secret to staying sharp on and off the track — Allegra, a bottle of water, and steadfast concentration.
Make sure to keep an eye out for Ericsson's pit crew during the upcoming Indy 500 and scan the QR codes to win a bunch of fun prizes with Allegra.
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