Felix Rosenqvist fought back from the last row of the grid to score a top ten finish in a caution-free Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix, setting the second-fastest lap of the race as he completed a powerful comeback drive in round seven of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES campaign.
Rosenqvist’s weekend was dealt a couple of early blows, with a crash just two laps into opening practice followed by a penalty for accidentally blocking another car in qualifying that demoted the Swede to the last row of the grid in 25th place.
Come Sunday’s 70-lap race, however, Rosenqvist unleashed the true potential of the #7 Arrow McLaren SP Chevrolet, battling back to make up a full 15 positions in a caution-free encounter on his way to tenth place.
“It was a fun race, with no yellows to help us along – just a flat out green race,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “Lots of passing, and well executed in terms of pit stops, in- and out-laps, and strategy. The low point was being stuck behind (Conor) Daly and (Dalton) Kellett, which cost us a shot at something even better, but I think making up 15 positions at a street track like this really is all we could ask for.”
Rosenqvist underscored his pace by setting the second-fastest lap of the race, and the fastest among all Chevrolet-powered drivers.
“The pace was really good, once again,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “Whenever we were behind other cars we were able to follow or catch them. We are really starting to unlock some real speed and we have every reason to be optimistic for the rest of the season.”
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns to action next weekend (June 10-12) at Road America – the site of Rosenqvist’s breakthrough first INDYCAR victory back in 2020.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 7
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix
Detroit Belle Isle (USA)
1: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 70 laps
2: Alexander Rossi (USA), Andretti, +1.002s
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, +7.123s
4: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, +10.671s
5: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren SP, +11.234s
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10: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren SP, +42.877s
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 7/17 races
1: Will Power (AUS), Penske, 255 p.
2: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 252 p.
3: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren SP, 243 p.
4: Alex Palou (ESP), Ganassi, 241 p.
5: Josef Newgarden (USA), Penske, 208 p.
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9: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren SP, 174 p.