NTT IndyCar Series
Preview: Rd. 4 – Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (USA)
Tenth place in Alabama last Sunday did yield some important championship points – but, never one for complacency, Felix Rosenqvist is keen for more. This weekend will see the Swedish rookie return to NTT IndyCar Series action just days after last taking the chequered flag; and he does so at exactly the kind of venue where he is known to shine.
From Macau and Pau to Hong Kong and Toronto, Rosenqvist has racked up a host of victories at prestigious street races across the globe, with a recent explosion onto the IndyCar arena at St. Petersburg only adding to his reputation of city-centre skill.
This weekend will see Rosenqvist in pursuit of fresh barrier-lined success, as the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach takes centre stage for round four of the IndyCar season. A true classic on the American motorsport itinerary, the Californian street track should suit Rosenqvist well if history is anything to go by; but it also marks a brand new acquaintance for the Chip Ganassi Racing man.
”It’s no secret that I love these kinds of races, and I’m really excited to take on Long Beach this weekend,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “It is one of few classic street tracks that I’m yet to try, which makes it all the more exciting, and we saw in St. Petersburg that the NTT DATA car was well-suited to this type of place. It will be so much fun. I learned a lot the past two races in Austin and Alabama, and we’re hoping we can apply those lessons to Long Beach this weekend.”
One of the most tradition-steeped venues in American single-seater racing, Long Beach is gearing up for its 36th IndyCar event this weekend, with Mario Andretti the inaugural winner in 1984. Before then, the Californian track formed part of the Formula 1 World Championship between 1976-1983.
Felix Rosenqvist currently holds 11th place in the overall standings following the first three races of his maiden IndyCar campaign. His best result remains a fourth place from the opening round in St. Petersburg.
Sunday’s Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will go green at 1.30 pm local time, with 85 laps set to be negotiated.
GUIDE: IndyCar – rules and information
LIVE TIMING: racecontrol.indycar.com
TIME TABLE
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach
All times local
Friday 12 April
Free Practice 1: 10.00-10.45 am
Free Practice 2: 2.00-2.45 pm
Saturday 13 April
Free Practice 3: 09.00-09.45 am
Qualifying: 12.10-1.25 pm
Sunday 14 April
Warm-up: 09.00-09.30 am
Race (85 laps): 1.30 pm
STANDINGS (TOP FIVE)
After 3/17 races
1: Josef Newgarden (USA, Penske), 125 p.
2: Scott Dixon (NZL, Ganassi), 98 p.
3: Takuma Sato (JPN, RLL), 91 p.
4: Alexander Rossi (USA, Andretti), 84 p.
5: Colton Herta (USA, Harding Stein.), 81 p.
—
11: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE, Ganassi), 60 p.