Felix Rosenqvist was forced to retire from this weekend’s NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway while on course for a top ten finish, parking up in pit lane with a gearbox issue.
After clinching two previous pole positions at the IMS road course, Rosenqvist started ninth at the venue this time around as Saturday’s 85-lap Gallagher Grand Prix got underway.
The Arrow McLaren driver got off to a strong start, gaining ground on the opening laps, and then settled in nicely for what looked set to be a top ten result.
However, after battling gearbox issues during the race, the situation finally became terminal on lap 68, forcing Rosenqvist into the pits and retirement.
“It’s another disappointing day for us, unfortunately,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “I think we had a top ten day. I had a good first stint, but then I started struggling with the tyres and was running in P9, P10. It’s a shame we had that mechanical issue and had to retire the car.
“This sport can be brutal at times and I’m going through a rough patch at the moment – that’s racing sometimes. I know we can turn it around, however, and that will be the clear target for the remaining races.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES resumes at Gateway, the final oval event of the campaign, on August 26-27.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 14
Gallagher Grand Prix
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA)
1: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 85 laps
2: Graham Rahal (USA), RLL, +0.477s
3: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, +8.092s
4: Christian Lundgaard (DEN), RLL, +9.321s
5: Alexander Rossi (USA), Arrow McLaren, +9.793s
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DNF: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, +17 laps
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 14/17 races
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 539 p.
2: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 438 p.
3: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 434 p.
4: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, 395 p.
5: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 388 p.
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13: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, 246 p.