IndyCar driver Dario Franchitti says he and rival Will Power have settled their disagreement over a controversial incident in last year’s Toronto race.
The pair tussled over the IndyCar title for much of last year and their championship rivalry reached flash point during Franchitti’s win in Toronto.
Franchitti made contact with Power on the 57th lap, sending the Australian’s car into a spin.
Power believed Franchitti, who pipped him by just 18 points to win the overall title last year, deserved to be penalised for the collision.
He let his displeasure be known in no uncertain terms.
“I’ve always raced him clean and he always races me dirty,” Power told reporters in pit lane at Toronto.
“He did the same at St Pete – he drove me into the wall and I didn’t say anything. He did it again today.
“He’s the guy that mouths off about everyone and whines about everyone, and he’s the guy racing dirty who never gets a penalty from IndyCar. It’s just not right.
“I’m so disappointed in (Franchitti).
“He’s twice done me dirty on the track. It’s just unbelievable. And then IndyCar won’t penalise them because Chip Ganassi goes up there and gives it to them. It’s just wrong.”
Franchitti, speaking ahead of the weekend’s Toronto race, said it was now a non-issue.
“I don’t want to put words in (Power’s) mouth, but I think we now realise we both had our part in that accident and we’ve definitely moved on,” he said.
However, Franchitti said he won’t shirk away from confrontation with Power in the future.
In fact, he believes a little friction is good for the series.
“There was definitely heated discussions after several races last year and I think in a lot of ways that was good,” he said.
“I think it showed the fans the passion that the teams and the drivers have for what we do.”
Franchitti needs to make a move soon if he’s going to get back into the points race this season and rein in Power.
Franchitti enters the Toronto race eighth in the drivers’ standings, 70 points behind leader Power.