The longstanding Santino Ferrucci Conor Daly feud flared up again following an on-track incident during the recent Mid-Ohio IndyCar race weekend, sparking intense exchanges between the two drivers. Ahead of the Iowa race, IndyCar steward Max Papis intervened and brought the drivers together, leading to a de-escalation of tensions as Daly criticized Ferrucci for exaggerating their conflict in the media.
Background on the Ferrucci-Daly Rivalry and Season Performances
Conor Daly competes for Juncos Hollinger Racing (JHR), while Santino Ferrucci races under the AJ Foyt Racing banner. Both drivers have battled throughout different areas of the IndyCar grid, alternating between top-tier performances and mid-field struggles. The 2025 season began poorly for both athletes; however, Ferrucci’s recent form has been notably stronger, securing two podium finishes and continuing a streak of top-10 results leading up to Mid-Ohio.
The rivalry intensified at the Mid-Ohio race after contact between Daly and Ferrucci led to Ferrucci receiving a penalty that set him back in the field. This incident provoked a series of remarks from both sides, with the feud capturing more attention as the Iowa race approached.
Daly’s Perspective on the Media-Inflated Feud
Despite the heated exchanges, Conor Daly downplayed the severity of their conflict, suggesting that Ferrucci tends to amplify their comments for the sake of online attention. Following Saturday’s qualifying session, Daly shared his views through Bob Pockrass on X, stating:
“It was fine, I actually think Santino [Ferrucci] plays up the quotes really well for the internet. I think he’s very good at that and obviosuly I never lie about what I want to say. But yeah, if people actually saw us communicating, you’d be like ‘oh that’s not as violent as we thought it would be.'”
—Conor Daly, IndyCar driver
This statement highlights Daly’s belief that the public perception of the rivalry does not fully reflect their personal interactions. Statistically, Ferrucci has been more successful during the 2025 season with four top-10 finishes compared to Daly’s two in the first ten races, adding a competitive edge to their dynamic.
Ferrucci Responds About the Mid-Ohio Incident and Future Competition
Initially, Santino Ferrucci had referred to Daly as a “backmarker” after the Mid-Ohio race, blaming him partially for missing out on a critical result. The tension lasted several days, but the two drivers have since attempted to clear the air. Reflecting on their recent conversation, Ferrucci expressed to Bob Pockrass on X:
“Funny enough, I think it’s the first time that the two of us have talked and actually, saw eye-to-eye on a bunch of things. So we were kind of laughing about, at the end of the day are we ever going to be best pals? Probably not, and I think he’ll agree with that. At the end of the day, we’re going to race each other hard, fair, and clean; and respect each on the track. Hell yeah.”
—Santino Ferrucci, IndyCar driver
His comments suggest a mutual understanding between the two rivals that, while friendship might not be on the horizon, respect and fair competition are priorities moving forward.
Upcoming Iowa Race Grid Positions and Expectations
For the upcoming Iowa IndyCar race, Conor Daly has secured a strong starting position in second place on the grid, while Santino Ferrucci will start seven places behind him. This race marks another chapter in their competitive relationship and will test how the two drivers manage their on-track battles after the recent efforts to ease tensions.
The intervention by Max Papis and the subsequent conversations between Ferrucci and Daly demonstrate the benefits of proactive conflict resolution in the sport, potentially reducing distractions and improving focus for both drivers. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if this marks the end of the Santino Ferrucci Conor Daly feud or if competitive fire will reignite during the intense Iowa race.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What are some fun facts about Santino Ferrucci?
A. Ferrucci became the youngest person to win a British Formula 3 race at age 16. He has also raced in GP3 (now FIA Formula 3), FIA Formula 2, and NASCAR. When he’s not racing, he likes playing golf, video games, and fixing up the go-karts he started racing with.
Q. What are the Santino Ferrucci allegations?
A. On July 18, Trident F2 team dismissed Ferrucci, claiming he had behavior problems and failed to pay what was owed. Trident stated that funds were provided for the Detroit IndyCar race while Ferrucci skipped payments related to F2.
Q. What was the penalty for Santino Ferrucci?
A. INDYCAR took away 26 points from Santino Ferrucci because his car was too light during the Detroit Grand Prix. Although he kept his second-place finish, the A.J. Foyt Racing team received a $25,000 fine for the weight issue.
Q. Is Santino Ferrucci a good driver?
A. Ferrucci improved from that seventh-place result and hasn’t placed lower than 10th in his six Indy 500 races. He is a well-liked but sometimes controversial driver because of his bold actions on the track. Starting in 2023, he began driving the famous No. 14 car for A.J. Foyt Racing.