NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 17
PREVIEW Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist is heading into his final race for Arrow McLaren as the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES concludes this weekend with the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at Laguna Seca.
Rosenqvist announced earlier this week that he is joining Meyer Shank Racing for the 2024 season, but remains more determined than ever to close the chapter with his current team on a high – riding the waves of confidence after finishing second last weekend in the Grand Prix of Portland.
“This is obviously going to be a very special weekend for me,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “I’ve had three amazing seasons with Arrow McLaren and it would be incredible to end our time together on top. We’ve gone through a lot together and I will be forever grateful for my time here. We had our best race of the season just a few days ago, so we’re all high on confidence going into Laguna Seca, and we have nothing to lose, so expect everything and more from me this weekend.”
Featuring the famous “Corkscrew” downhill section, Laguna Seca handed Rosenqvist a strong finish last season, the Swede coming home fourth to close out the 2022 campaign. As he returns to the California venue 12 months later, he does so with fresh momentum and targeting another top-line result – although a complete repaving of the track could throw a whole lot of curveballs.
“The entire track has been repaved since last year, and the previous tarmac had been in use for a long, long time,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “It will be a huge factor this weekend; it’s the kind of thing that can drastically change the balance of the car and tyre wear. We actually had the same situation earlier this year at Road America and it was a game-changer. It will be crucial to make the most of practice and ensure we collect reliable data. It’s going to be a very interesting weekend in a lot of ways.”
Opening practice for the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey takes place on Friday. Qualifying is slated for Saturday, with the race itself – the 2023 season finale – going green on Sunday.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Pacific)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 17
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey
Laguna Seca (USA)
Friday 8 September
Practice 1: 2:30-3:45 pm
Saturday 9 September
Practice 2: 10:00-11:00 am
Qualifying: 2:00-3:30 pm
Sunday 10 September
Warm-up: 9:00-9:30 am
Race (95 laps): 11:30 am
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
ENTRY LIST: view here
TRACK DATA: view here
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: view here