NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 8
Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist was on course for a strong result in Sunday’s Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America following a striking recovery drive in round eight of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, only to drop out of contention with a fuel read issue in the closing stages.
Rosenqvist entered this weekend’s race in Wisconsin on the back of his first podium of the season last time out in Detroit, and continued to run up front in practice with P3 in the final session going into qualifying.
While a mistake on his quickest lap left Rosenqvist only 16th on the grid – the first time he has qualified outside the top ten in 2023 – the Arrow McLaren Swede wasted no time picking off his midfield rivals as the race began.
The charge was momentarily derailed, however, when Rosenqvist was hit from behind by Rinus VeeKay (just moments after passing the Dutch driver), causing a costly trip through the grass and gravel trap. Rosenqvist managed to rejoin, although heavily delayed at the back of the field.
Despite the setback, Rosenqvist defied the odds and found a way back into contention, battling his way into the top ten entering the final round of pit stops.
“The pace was great today,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “The #6 car was planted, and we managed to recover really, really well after that hit from VeeKay. The restarts were great, the pit stops were great, and it was basically the perfect race between that point and until the final stint.”
Unfortunately, that was also where it eventually came undone, as a fuel-read malfunction meant Rosenqvist was instructed to save huge amounts of fuel over the final ten laps. Hopelessly slow, he ultimately tumbled to 20th place.
“This was actually a very, very strong race, so it’s frustrating for it to end like that,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “We had a wrong fuel read, and that led us to believe we had to save a lot of fuel to make it home. It’s a shame after such a strong race otherwise, but on to the next one.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES resumes in two weeks’ time (July 1-2) at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 8
Sonsio Grand Prix at Road America
Road America (USA)
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 55 laps
2: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, +4.561s
3: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, +6.754s
4: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, +6.971s
5: Colton Herta (USA), Andretti, +10.932s
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20: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, +49.089s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 8/17 races
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 324 p.
2: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 250 p.
3: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 243 p.
4: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 226 p.
5: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 226 p.
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12: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, 158 p.