Felix Rosenqvist saw another potential strong finish evaporate in a challenging summer stint in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES as he retired from the Honda Indy Toronto on Sunday after starting in third place.
Rosenqvist produced yet another trademark qualifying performance in the #60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda on Saturday, pacing the Top 12 segment of the session before taking P3 on the grid at the Canadian street track with a solid Fast 6 lap.
Come race day, however, Rosenqvist’s story mirrored much of the narrative of recent events. After opening the race in convincing manner, sitting inside the top five for the first half of the 85-lap encounter, things gradually took a turn for the worse and ultimately ended in fresh disappointment as Rosenqvist retired with a technical malfunction for the second race in succession.
The Swede, whose race also included a near-collision with fellow countryman Marcus Ericsson, parked up on lap 63 following an issue with his car’s hybrid system.
“I’m super bummed, as things were looking good all weekend,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “We were in the top five all day until I had a run in with Marcus. I need to check the onboard to see what happened, but either way it dropped us to about P13.
“With what happened later in the race (which was red-flagged for a multi-car pile-up in which all drivers escaped injury), it was still all to play for at that point. Unfortunately, however, the hybrid system broke and we had to park up, so it wasn’t going to happen today anyway.”
Rosenqvist also retired from the previous race in Iowa with another technical issue.
“It’s tough when you have two mechanicals in a row, weekend to weekend,” Rosenqvist admits. “It’s something we can’t afford to happen and that we need to work on. It’s disappointing for all of us, but thanks to the team for all the hard work this weekend. We showed some really good pace again, but it wasn’t to be.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES now heads into a well-earned summer break, resuming with the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 at World Wide Technology Raceway on August 16-17.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 12
Honda Indy Toronto
Streets of Toronto (Canada)
1: Colton Herta (USA), Andretti, 85 laps
2: Kyle Kirkwood (USA), Andretti, +0.346s
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, +0.968s
4: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, +1.691s
5: Marcus Armstrong (NZL), Ganassi, +2.771s
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DNF: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, +22 laps
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 12/17 races
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 411 p.
2: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 362 p.
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 358 p.
4: Colton Herta (USA), Andretti, 354 p.
5: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 340 p.
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13: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, 221 p.