Felix Rosenqvist is set to line up on the second row of the grid for the 110th Running of the Indianapolis 500 next weekend, having again featured in a battle for pole position at the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ blue-riband event.
The Swede played a leading role on a condensed qualifying weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, after Saturday’s opening day of action was rained off and set up a one-day scrap to lock in the 33-car field on Sunday.
Rosenqvist stormed through the opening full-field qualifying phase with a commanding four-lap average of 232.599 mph (374,3 km/h), going quickest by nearly one mile per hour in an effort that would remain the fastest seen all day.
Comfortably progressing into the shootout stages, the Meyer Shank Racing driver then maintained a rapid pace in the subsequent Top 12 segment, yet again leading the way with the only attempt above 232 mph.
That promoted him into the decisive Fast 6 climax, where Rosenqvist however lost some speed, recording a 231.375 mph (372,3 km/h) that ultimately leaves him fourth on the grid for the race next Sunday.
”I was going for pole today, so I’m a little disappointed,” says Felix Rosenqvist, who also topped the times in Fast Friday practice earlier in the week. “It was quite a big gap from run two to run three, like one mph, so we need to see what happened. It felt good; we just didn’t go as fast.”
2026 marks the fifth consecutive year that Rosenqvist has qualified inside the top ten at the Indy 500. He has also been quickest in Top 12 qualifying in three of the last four years.
“It’s kind of a déjà vu for me,” Felix Rosenqvist continues. “I’ve had this three times now in the last few years where you go into the Fast 6 and want to finish it off, and then it doesn’t quite work out. You put everything on the line on each of the runs around here, so it’s a shame.
“Still, it’s another very good starting spot for the race, and I’m super proud of the team. Congratulations to Alex (Palou) and Honda on the pole. Now, we’ll focus on the race.”
Rosenqvist’s best finish in the Indy 500 is fourth, achieved in both 2022 and 2025.
The 110th running of the race takes place on Sunday, May 24.
The full field will be back on track again tomorrow (Monday) as practice continues on the 2.5-mile oval.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 7
110th Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA)
Qualifying
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 232.248 mph
2: Alexander Rossi (USA), ECR, 231.990 mph
3: David Malukas (USA), Penske, 231.877 mph
4: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Meyer Shank Racing, 231.375 mph
5: Santino Ferrucci (USA), Foyt Racing, 230.846 mph