Felix Rosenqvist enjoyed a positive end to the 2022 NTT INDYCAR SERIES as he battled for a podium in the season-ending Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey, eventually finishing fourth to seal P8 in the championship standings.
Rosenqvist drove his #7 Arrow McLaren SP car from eighth on the grid to fourth at the chequered flag as the season drew to a close at California’s Laguna Seca road course on Sunday, finishing less than two seconds behind new champion Will Power having battled the Australian for parts of the race.
The outcome means Rosenqvist beats Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta to eighth in the overall classification, coming out on top in a season-long battle with the Andretti Autosport duo.
“It was a good race, a good way to end the season,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “I’m a little disappointed not to get a podium, but that apart, I think we performed well today. The first stint really paid off on the blacks (hard tyres). It looked a little bit grim initially and we lost some ground, but then we managed to stay out long and the overcut really worked well.
“Perhaps we made the wrong call mid-race going fuel-saving, but we weren’t sure we’d make it with just one more stop. As it were, it ended up costing us track position and maybe a podium finish, but all in all it’s a positive end to the season and nice to get P8 in the championship as well.”
In taking eighth in the drivers’ standings, Rosenqvist wraps up his second-best season to date in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. Highlights of the 2022 campaign include a podium finish on the streets of Toronto as well as two pole positions at Texas Motor Speedway and the Indianapolis road course.
“It’s mixed feelings,” Rosenqvist sums up his campaign. “There have been a lot of random things happening that have been outside of our control, but from the Month of May onwards I think we really got our stuff together. We’re still lacking a bit of consistency, but pace-wise we’ve been up there almost every weekend, and that is really positive.
“In terms of my own driving, I rate this as probably my best INDYCAR season yet, and I can’t wait to hopefully be back and give it another go next year. Thank you to all the guys and girls at Arrow McLaren SP, and particularly the #7 crew, for a great time together this season.”
Rosenqvist led five laps of Sunday’s season-finale. The Swede ends the 2022 campaign having finished inside the top ten in ten of the 17 races staged. He has also scored a career-best fourth at the Indianapolis 500.
Watch: Felix Rosenqvist end-of-season interview.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 17
Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey
Laguna Seca (USA)
1: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 95 laps
2: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, +30.381s
3: Will Power (AUS), Penske, +33.852s
4: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren SP, +35.532s
5: Christian Lundgaard (DEN), RLL, +50.890s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 17/17 races
1: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 560 p.
2: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 544 p.
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 521 p.
4: Scott McLaughlin (NZL), Penske, 510 p.
5: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 510 p.
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8: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren SP, 393 p.