Felix Rosenqvist has switched teams from Ganassi to McLaren SP for the 2021 IndyCar season.
The 28-year-old was the series’ Rookie of the Year in 2018, when he placed sixth in the championship. He slipped to 11th this year, while team mate Scott Dixon won the title, but scored his breakthrough win for the team at Road America.That came at the expense of McLaren SP driver Pato O’Ward, who led 43 of the 55 laps. The pair will be team mates as Rosenqvist takes the seat vacated by Oliver Askew.
Rosenqvist said McLaren SP “has shown itself to be a consistent challenger” in its first season since McLaren took over the Schmidt Peterson operation at the beginning of 2020. “I’m looking forward to working with Pato to help take it forward.”
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown said “it’s not very often that you get the opportunity to combine two young, established talents like Pato and Felix.
“I think this pairing gives us a strong driver line-up and I’m excited to see what they can do together on and off the track.”
O’Ward’s near-miss at Road America was the first of five podium finishes for McLaren SP this year. He finished second for the third time at St Petersburg last weekend.
Rosenqvist first came to the team’s attention four years ago, said McLaren SP co-owner Sam Schmidt. “We’ve been watching Felix since he came over to Indy Lights in 2016 and have been constantly impressed by his performance over the past two years,” he said.
“We think that he and Pato complement each other well and together we believe they will help us on our journey forward as a team.”
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Adam (@rocketpanda)
29th October 2020, 12:28
I really like Rosenqvist. He was a reason I watched Formula E and thought he was pretty good, and while I’ve not watched IndyCar I’ve followed the reports and he seems to be doing okay. I kinda think he should have been considered for an F1 seat at some point.
I hope he does well at McLaren.
Macrob
29th October 2020, 13:02
This is a great signing for Mclaren, Pato and Felix will constitute one of the strongest lineups in the field (for me they even match in talent the lineup Mclaren will have on their F1 team…)
Exciting!! Cant wait for next season.
Bruno Verrari
29th October 2020, 16:14
The guy nearly won Macao – for a third time!
He was also considered for the Mercedes F1 driver pool but deemed too old at 24-25…while Lewis and Nico were contracted.
anon
29th October 2020, 17:53
Is the Macau Grand Prix really that prestigious these days though?
Don
29th October 2020, 16:54
McLaren is really coming on strong as a team and now has a very good, young driver line up. They should be a serious force to reckon with next season. Which can’t come soon enough, hopefully with a working virus vaccine.
faulty (@faulty)
29th October 2020, 17:30
And Palou grabbed his seat and will pair with Jimmie Johnson.
Exciting times ahead!
Bill Shorter
29th October 2020, 18:47
I must be the only person who was totally underwhelmed by Felix these past two years. He seemed to be miles off Dixon at pretty much every race. Maybe I need to reconsider my opinions on him.
Retired (@jeff1s)
29th October 2020, 22:12
I really was full of promises for this guy and have to say he didn’t really delivered this season. Still a good signing for McLaren SP.
Maisch (@maisch)
30th October 2020, 7:46
First season he was rookie of the year, which isnt a bad result at all considering who he competed with. Though this year has been more up and downs, and with some bad luck at some unfortunate times (getting bumped). I really hope next season will be more consistent up the top!