Felix Rosenqvist clarifies his contract situation, reminds McLaren he wants to keep racing IndyCar
Bizarre motorsport’s silly season has knocked out the IndyCar racer Felix Rosenqvist fell into limbo, with the Swede now trying desperately to keep his current seat and avoid being transferred to McLaren Racing’s new Formula E team.
McLaren and Rosenqvist said in June they had agreed to a deal in which Rosenqvist would return to IndyCar in 2023 or become a key piece in the FE team’s debut next season. But as Rosenqvist’s record has improved, his desire to stay in IndyCar has dimmed his future.
He is currently stuck in a fight between Chip Ganassi Racing and the IndyCar champion Alex PalouWho wants to leave Ganassi to move to the McLaren family next season. Ganassi is suing to block the move.
If Palou is present, Rosenqvist will be left out of Arrow McLaren SP’s three-car IndyCar lineup. Palou will participate Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in IndyCar, and potentially as a reserve driver for the Formula One team.
The series intensified last weekend in Nashville amid speculation Rosenqvist is looking for an extended seat in 2023 at the IndyCar compound. In a statement provided Tuesday to the Associated Press, the 30-year-old said a report suggesting he does not have a contract with McLaren for this season “is not true. I do.”
McLaren holds a Rosenqvist pick in the IndyCar that the team is likely to hold until a Palou resolution is reached. Meanwhile, Rosenqvist has yet to sign a contract to race in Formula E for McLaren, but team leader Zak Brown told the AP he will release Rosenqvist if he finds another ride.
“I have a great relationship with Zak Brown and McLaren and they have always been very transparent and fair with me,” Rosenqvist said in her statement. “I understand Zak has to make some tough business decisions and keep a selection of my services for next season. I’m sticking to what we announced in June.
“Since then, however, I feel I have rediscovered my form in IndyCar and have made clear my desire to Zak in recent weeks to stay at IndyCar.”
Rosenqvist moved to IndyCar from Formula E after two seasons to join Ganassi ahead of the 2018 season. He scored one win, three championships and one title in two seasons with Ganassi, then moved on. McLaren in 2021 as a free agent.
He struggled in his first season with the new team in what Rosenqvist called the worst year of his driving career. His recovery didn’t begin until a 4th place finish in the Indianapolis 500 in May – and at the time Brown had in-depth discussions with Rosenqvist about a move to FE.
Rosenqvist now believes he has “unfinished business” at IndyCar.
“That’s not to say I’m not excited about Formula E because it’s a great championship that I’ve competed in successfully,” he said in his statement. “I realize right now there’s a lot of speculation about many drivers and where they will be next season. All I want to do is focus on my IndyCar race to rebalance this year.
“Whatever my future is, I will decide with Zak.”
There are three races left in the IndyCar season, which will take place August 20 at the Global Tech Circuit outside St. Louis. Rosenqvist has one podium, two columns and is ninth in the IndyCar leaderboard.
