Felix Rosenqvist heads to the Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio this weekend for one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the year, as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES ushers in a new era of hybrid competition.
The introduction of INDYCAR’s new engine technology is set to throw up surprises at the halfway point of the season, with Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing hoping to spark success at the team’s home track.
Located just over an hour upstate from the MSR workshop in Pataskala, Mid-Ohio is a place close to heart for Rosenqvist too, with the Swede racking up two career milestones at the 13-turn road course – although he has also suffered a number of first-lap setbacks in recent years.
“I’m super excited to head to Mid-Ohio,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “It’s actually the place of my first INDYCAR test back in 2016 and it’s where I got my first INDYCAR podium as well (2019). Lots of good memories, and it’s the team’s home race, which makes it even more exciting.”
The main story for this weekend, however, is undoubtedly the historic introduction of hybrid technology to INDYCAR competition. The series’ long-standing 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 internal combustion engines are supplemented, for the first time, with a hybrid Energy Recovery System (ERS) that adds up to 60 extra horsepower of electric boost once deployed by the drivers.
Read more: INDYCAR’s new hybrid system explained
“It’s the first weekend for the hybrid, which means everyone will have to learn a lot,” Felix Rosenqvist continues. “For us, we’ve only had three days of testing, but I have experience of electric powertrains from Formula E that will be useful and the team has done great with hybrids in IMSA.
“I feel like we are relatively well-prepared, but I’m sure there will be a lot to digest and whoever does it best will win the race.”
Rosenqvist enters the weekend sitting tenth in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES standings following five top ten finishes in the first eight races. Practice at Mid-Ohio begins on Friday, followed by further practice and qualifying on Saturday. The historic first INDYCAR hybrid race will take place on Sunday and run for 80 laps.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Eastern)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 9
Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course (USA)
Friday July 5
Practice 1: 3:20-4:35 pm
Saturday July 6
Practice 2: 10:50-11:50 am
Qualifying: 3:00-4:30 pm
Sunday July 7
Warm-up: 10:25-10:55 am
Race (80 laps): 1:45 pm
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
HOW TO WATCH: view here
TRACK DATA: view here
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: view here