During a recent appearance on Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s podcast, Santino Ferrucci reflected candidly on his notorious suspension and hefty fine from 2018, a story that has shaped his reputation in motorsports. Dale Earnhardt Jr. inspires Santino Ferrucci to be open about the controversy, discussing how the ordeal unfolded and how it continues to affect his career.
Ferrucci’s Costly 2018 Ban and the Incident with Arjun Maini
Santino Ferrucci, then competing in Formula 2, was penalized following a series of incidents involving his teammate, Arjun Maini, at the Silverstone Sprint race. On the cool-down lap after the race, Ferrucci purposely made contact with Maini’s car, an act the stewards deemed intentional. This came after Ferrucci had previously forced Maini wide during the feature race, and his actions in both races were found to violate racing regulations. His ban covered four Grand Prix weekends, including Hungaroring and Spa-Francorchamps, and came with a €60,000 fine, reflecting the severity of his conduct.
Additional sanctions followed, as Ferrucci was fined €6,000 for driving between the paddock and pit lane while using a phone and wearing only one glove, contravening safety protocols. These violations, combined with unresolved contractual disputes, led to Trident, his team at the time, terminating his contract within days of the ban’s announcement. The episode marked a turning point for Ferrucci, resulting in his transition to IndyCar after a turbulent period in his racing journey.
Discussing the incident during his conversation with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Ferrucci described moments of regret and the costly misjudgment that led to his suspension.
“It was meant for me to be flipping him off, and I was going to get right behind him and pull up real close to him. Right as I was about to do it, I was like, I think that’s expensive. You pay your own fines. So before I moved back, because I already had momentum, I clipped him. I misjudged it by about this much. I didn’t do any damage to the cars. I didn’t think anything of it came back. You know, the stewards were like, okay, well, we need to call you in for this move and that move.”
—Santino Ferrucci, Driver
“I didn’t go to the stewards’ meeting because I had a flight home from England, and money was tight with sponsorship, and I couldn’t afford to move my flights. And in hindsight, I really regret that. Probably the biggest mistake in my career,”
—Santino Ferrucci, Driver
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Unexpected Holiday Message and Growing Friendship
Ferrucci has recounted how his relationship with NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. developed into a genuine friendship. He shared a heartwarming memory of being personally wished a Merry Christmas by Earnhardt—something he described as highly unusual in the world of professional racing, where most drivers only exchange such greetings with sponsors and close contacts.
For Ferrucci, this gesture was profoundly meaningful, highlighting a level of support and camaraderie that can be rare in motorsport.
“Getting to meet Dale the last couple of years, I’m not gonna lie, one of the coolest things to happen to me as a race car driver. It’s normally like, Christmas comes around, we text all of our sponsors, our family, our friends, and stuff… occasionally a couple of drivers. Dale was the only driver to wish me Merry Christmas. I was like freaking out. That was the coolest thing that’s ever happened,”
—Santino Ferrucci, Driver
Recognition from Earnhardt Jr. During and After the Indianapolis 500
Santino Ferrucci’s admiration for Dale Earnhardt Jr. deepened after he caught the NASCAR veteran’s attention at the 2019 Indianapolis 500. During a high-speed incident, Ferrucci managed a daring escape by steering his car through the grass at over 200 miles per hour, avoiding a multi-car collision. This bold display earned him praise from Earnhardt, further cementing their connection.
The 50-year-old racing veteran publicly recognized Ferrucci’s speed and skill prior to the 2020 IndyCar season, describing him as a promising talent in the discipline. This recognition not only boosted Ferrucci’s profile but also played a role in fostering mutual respect between the two drivers, despite their backgrounds in different branches of American motorsport.
Lingering Impact on Ferrucci’s Career
The suspension, monetary penalties, and subsequent split with Trident marked one of the most difficult chapters in Santino Ferrucci’s racing life. He has called the incident with Arjun Maini his greatest regret, made more painful by the knowledge that better decisions might have avoided the outcome. However, Ferrucci’s willingness to discuss these experiences openly, encouraged by interactions with Dale Earnhardt Jr., demonstrates his commitment to learning from past mistakes.
Looking ahead, Ferrucci’s openness about his history and his relationship with figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggest that his experiences continue to shape him, both as a person and as a race car driver. Their friendship, cemented by moments both challenging and uplifting, signals a new chapter in Ferrucci’s career, where accountability and genuine connections take center stage.
