Dario Franchitti, the two-time defending IndyCar champion from Scotland, opened the 2011 season with a commanding performance at the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, finishing seven seconds clear of Australian polesitter Will Power across the 14-turn, 1.8-mile street circuit.
The victory was Franchitti's 27th career IndyCar win, drawing him level with Johnny Rutherford at 10th on the series all-time list. He moved to the front early and was never seriously pressed for the lead.
Power, who won in St. Petersburg from pole the previous year and had finished as Franchitti's runner-up in the 2010 championship, could not match the Scotsman's pace. Tony Kanaan completed the podium, a result the veteran called unexpected after securing his race seat only six days before the event.
Swiss driver Simona de Silvestro, starting 17th in her second IndyCar season, climbed to fourth for a career-best finish. A six-car collision at the first corner on the opening lap eliminated Marco Andretti, who publicly blamed three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves for triggering the incident.
Historical summary. TurkishPress restated this wire report, first published in March 2011, in its own words.