Simon Pagenaud: From small-town France to Indy 500 glory

Simon Pagenaud joins Racers Unchained for a raw conversation about the moments that shaped his career – from terrifying crashes and career-defining pressure, to leaving France behind in pursuit of a future in racing. Pagenaud reflects on the accident he barely remembers, the sacrifices it took to keep climbing the motorsports ladder, and how close he came to walking away from racing entirely.The Indy 500 winner and IndyCar champion also shares stories from his early years growing up in a small French town, idolizing Ayrton Senna, and trying to break into Formula 1 without money or connections. He talks openly about learning hard lessons in Europe, getting help from Sébastien Bourdais, and arriving in America with everything riding on a single Formula Atlantic season. This episode is packed with insight into the mindset, discipline, and resilience it takes to survive at the highest levels of motorsport.