Felix Rosenqvist is determined to bring a challenging NTT INDYCAR SERIES season to a positive close as the championship concludes this month with a triple-header on the U.S. west coast.
With back-to-back races at Portland, Laguna Seca and Long Beach set to wrap up the 2021 campaign, INDYCAR bows out with a trio of events all returning to the schedule following a one-year covid-inflicted hiatus.
For Rosenqvist, the end-of-season run marks fresh opportunities at venues he thoroughly enjoys, starting this weekend at Oregon’s Portland International Raceway – where the Swede took a podium with second place on INDYCAR’s last visit in 2019.
“I’ve got a positive feeling heading into these last three races, and I’m looking forward to spending plenty of time in the car,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “I like this kind of set-up with back-to-back races. Portland was one of my best races in 2019, so I’m keen to get back, and we also had a productive test there a few weeks ago.”
Following the visit to Oregon, the paddock will travel south along the Pacific coast for the final two rounds in California.
After a difficult season, including sitting out two races as he recovered from a violent crash at the Detroit Grand Prix, Rosenqvist himself is out of the championship battle – although there is plenty still to play for with Arrow McLaren SP team-mate Pato O’Ward firmly in the hunt.
“There is a lot to achieve in these last few races,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “For me personally, clearly I want to finish off this difficult year in the best possible way. It would really mean a lot to end on a high and take that momentum into the winter break. I’ve got nothing to lose, and then of course I’ll be happy to help Pato and the team wherever I can. These will be three defining races and I’m absolutely ready to take it on.”
This weekend’s Grand Prix of Portland is the 14th race of the 2021 INDYCAR season. The meeting takes place across two days, with practice and qualifying on Saturday and the 110-lap race going green on Sunday.
TIME TABLE
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 14
Grand Prix of Portland
Portland International Raceway (USA)
All times local (U.S. Pacific)
Saturday 11 September
Free Practice 1: 9:00-10:15 am
Qualifying: 12:15-1:30 pm
Free Practice 2: 3:15-3:45 pm
Sunday 12 September
Race (110 laps): 12:40 pm
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
ENTRY LIST: view here
TRACK DATA: view here
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 13/16 races
1: Pato O’Ward (MEX), AMSP, 435 p.
2: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 425 p.
3: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 413 p.
4: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 392 p.
5: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 375 p.
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21: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), AMSP, 149 p.
View full standings