NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 6
PREVIEW Indianapolis 500 (USA)
Felix Rosenqvist is turning his attention to “the Greatest Spectacle in Racing” this week as the NTT INDYCAR SERIES shifts into Indianapolis 500 mode.
The undisputed highlight of the season, the Indy 500 ranks among the world’s largest sporting events, attracting gargantuan crowds of more than 300 000 visitors on race day.
The 500-mile oval classic is played out across 200 on-the-edge laps around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with 33 drivers set to go all-out for victory in the 2023 edition on Sunday, May 28.
Rosenqvist finished fourth in the race last year for Arrow McLaren – his best result to date in the Indy 500 – and believes he is better placed than ever before going into the 107th running of the event.
“This is the big one, and I’ve never felt more in sync going into the Indy 500,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “The entire team is growing, fielding four cars this year for the first time, and we’re just stronger all-round in every aspect. There’s been an incredible amount of work going into this race from everyone at Arrow McLaren, McLaren Racing and Chevrolet, and I think we have every chance of going for the win.”
Triple Crown tributes: celebrating McLaren’s exceptional success
Sitting alongside the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix, the Indy 500 is part of motorsport’s Triple Crown. With McLaren celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, special commemorative liveries have been created for the Indy 500 to highlight the British brand’s historic achievement of winning each of the Triple Crown events.
More specifically for Rosenqvist, the Swede’s #6 Arrow McLaren entry will sport a white-and-orange colour scheme in homage to the McLaren MP4/2, which Alain Prost drove to the team’s first Monaco Grand Prix victory back in 1984.
Rosenqvist, who executed a confidence-inspiring run to fifth in the GMR Grand Prix on the IMS road course last Saturday, will thus be looking to add to McLaren’s illustrious racing record with a nod to the past.
“For me growing up, McLaren were the pace-setters in Formula 1, and now I’m here to be a part of the 60th anniversary celebrations – racing for McLaren in one of the Triple Crown events,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “This team’s past is really what shaped my passion for the sport, and now I have a chance to add to that history. It’s a pinch-yourself moment.”
Practice for the Indy 500 begins on Tuesday, leading up to qualifying this coming weekend (May 20-21). The field will then return to the track for a final two practice sessions next week to fine-tune their set-ups ahead of the great race on May 28.
TIME TABLE
All times local (U.S. Eastern)
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 6
107th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (USA)
Tuesday 16 May
Practice 1: 09:00-11:15 am
Practice 2: 3:00-6:00 pm
Wednesday 17 May
Practice 3: 12:00-6:00 pm
Thursday 18 May
Practice 4: 12:00-6:00 pm
Friday 19 May (Fast Friday)
Practice 5: 12:00-6:00 pm
Saturday 20 May
Practice 6: 8:30-9:30 am
Qualifying: 11:00 am-5:50 pm
Sunday 21 May
Practice 7: 11:30 am-1:30 pm
Qualifying (Top 12): 2:00-3:00 pm
Qualifying (Last Chance): 4:00-5:00 pm
Qualifying (Fast 6): 5:00-6:00 pm
Monday 22 May
Practice 8: 1:00-3:00 pm
Friday 26 May (Carb Day)
Practice 9: 11:00 am-1:00 pm
Sunday 28 May
107th Indianapolis 500: 12:45 pm
TIMING: INDYCAR App / racecontrol.indycar.com
ENTRY LIST: view here
TRACK DATA: view here
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS: view here