Felix Rosenqvist scored his first podium of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES with a determined drive to third place in Sunday’s Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.
In a wild first race at the Michigan event’s new downtown location, Rosenqvist quickly adapted to the narrow and bumpy street course around the GM Renaissance Center to snatch the fifth podium of his INDYCAR career.
Climbing from ninth on the grid, Rosenqvist ran inside the top five for most of the 100-lap race in Motor City, ultimately ripping off the decisive podium move with a pass for third on Arrow McLaren team-mate Alexander Rossi on the penultimate tour.
“I’m thrilled to finally be on the podium for the first time this year,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “We’ve been so close so many times, always up there in qualifying and during the races, so I’m pleased to finally give this back to the #6 crew. It was a pretty wild race at times – we all raced hard but fair – and I’m thrilled we came out with a strong result!”
The race was won by Alex Palou, with Will Power and Rosenqvist making it two Chevrolet cars on the podium in the engine supplier’s home event.
“The new track here in Detroit is really challenging,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “It’s so narrow, so close to the walls. It’s insane how much effort goes into a race like this, just mentally; it requires complete concentration for 100 laps. I think the track provided some great racing in the end. It’s also pretty cool to drive a Chevy car to the podium right in front of the GM Renaissance Center in the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix.”
With Sunday’s result, Rosenqvist now moves into the top ten in the overall NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings. The next round takes place at Road America, where Rosenqvist won in 2020, on June 17-18.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 7
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
Streets of Detroit (USA)
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 100 laps
2: Will Power (AUS), Penske, +1.184s
3: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, +5.951s
4: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, +7.568s
5: Alexander Rossi (USA), Arrow McLaren, +9.984s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 7/17 races
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 273 p.
2: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 222 p.
3: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 203 p.
4: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 194 p.
5: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 191 p.
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10: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, 148 p.