NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 1
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (USA)
A first-lap incident took Felix Rosenqvist out of contention in this weekend’s season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, but the Swede still left the NTT INDYCAR SERIES curtain-raiser in optimistic mood after showcasing encouraging pace.
Rosenqvist appeared hooked up around Florida’s 1.8-mile temporary street track after topping the times in the first qualifying segment of the new season, and eventually took P8 on the grid for the first race of the campaign.
As racing got underway on Sunday, however, a brush with six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon on the opening lap quickly derailed Rosenqvist’s charge, a squeeze into the wall inflicting ample damage on his Arrow McLaren car and forcing lengthy repairs in the garage.
“Not the kind of season-opener we were aiming for,” says Felix Rosenqvist. “It got crowded at the start and unfortunately I got squeezed by Scott. He said he didn’t see me and he actually came up to apologise afterwards, which was nice of him. We’re always fine. It was just one of those things.”
Following repairs, Rosenqvist was able to later rejoin the race, albeit some 40 laps down. He was eventually classified 19th.
“The team did a good job to get the car back out, which was actually quite important,” Rosenqvist explains. “It allowed us to gain a few spots when others crashed out, so it meant a few extra points on the board. That’s the kind of thing that can make a difference at the end of the year.”
Marcus Ericsson emerged victorious in a chaotic race on the slippery Florida streets, but there was cause for optimism for Rosenqvist’s Arrow McLaren squad. Team-mate Pato O’Ward led going into the final few laps, only for a temporary technical issue to drop him to second, while the team’s third driver – new signing Alexander Rossi – finished fourth.
“We’ve been quick all weekend, with all three cars,” Felix Rosenqvist concludes. “That’s the big takeaway from here – that we’re properly in the game. The car felt a lot better here in St. Pete this weekend than it did last year, so we’ve definitely improved. It’s a long season. Last but not least; congratulations to Marcus on the win!”
The second round of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES takes place at Texas Motor Speedway on April 2.
RESULTS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | Rd. 1
Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg
Streets of St. Petersburg (USA)
1: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 100 laps
2: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, +2.411s
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, +2.925s
4: Alexander Rossi (USA), Arrow McLaren, +6.768s
5: Callum Ilott (GBR), Juncos Hollinger, +8.265s
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19: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, +49 laps
CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS
NTT INDYCAR SERIES | After 1/17 races
1: Marcus Ericsson (SWE), Ganassi, 51 p.
2: Pato O’Ward (MEX), Arrow McLaren, 41 p.
3: Scott Dixon (NZL), Ganassi, 36 p.
4: Alexander Rossi (USA), Arrow McLaren, 32 p.
5: Callum Ilott (GBR), Juncos Hollinger, 30 p.
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19: Felix Rosenqvist (SWE), Arrow McLaren, 11 p.