The unusual motorsports foolish season has knocked IndyCar driver Felix Rosenqvist into limbo, with the Swede now desperately attempting to carry onto his present seat and keep away from being shipped to McLaren Racing’s new System E workforce.
McLaren and Rosenqvist mentioned in June they’d agreed to a deal by which Rosenqvist would both return in 2023 to IndyCar or be the important thing piece when it launches its FE workforce subsequent season.
However as Rosenqvist’s efficiency has improved, his need to stay in IndyCar has clouded his future.
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He’s now snagged within the battle between Chip Ganassi Racing and IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who desires to go away Ganassi to maneuver to the McLaren household subsequent season. Ganassi is suing to cease the transfer.
Ought to Palou grow to be accessible, Rosenqvist could be squeezed out of McLaren SP’s three-car IndyCar lineup. Palou would be part of Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi in IndyCar, and certain be a reserve driver for the System 1 workforce.
The drama intensified final weekend at Nashville amid hypothesis Rosenqvist was in search of an open 2023 seat within the IndyCar paddock.
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In an announcement offered to The Related Press, the 30-year-old mentioned a report suggesting he didn’t have a McLaren contract previous this season “shouldn’t be true. I do.”
McLaren holds an possibility on Rosenqvist in IndyCar that the workforce is probably going holding till it has a decision on Palou.
Within the meantime, Rosenqvist has not signed a contract to race in System E for McLaren, however the workforce head Zak Brown informed The AP he’d launch Rosenqvist if he finds one other trip.
“I’ve a terrific relationship with Zak Brown and McLaren they usually have at all times been very clear and truthful with me,” Rosenqvist mentioned in his assertion.
“I perceive Zak has some powerful enterprise selections to make and holds an possibility my providers for subsequent season. I stand by what we introduced in June.
“Nevertheless, since then, I really feel I’ve discovered my type in IndyCar and have made my need clear to Zak in current weeks to stay in IndyCar.”
Rosenqvist moved to IndyCar from System E after two seasons to affix Ganassi forward of the 2018 season.
He scored one win, three podiums and a pole in two seasons with Ganassi, then moved to McLaren in 2021 as a free agent.
He struggled in his first season with the brand new workforce in what Rosenqvist has known as the worst 12 months of his driving profession.
His rebound didn’t start till a fourth-place end within the Indianapolis 500 in Could — and by that point Brown was already deep in discussions with Rosenqvist over a transfer to System E.
Rosenqvist now believes he has “unfinished enterprise” in IndyCar.
“That doesn’t imply I’m not enthusiastic about System E as it’s a nice championship that I’ve competed in efficiently,” he mentioned in his assertion.
“I recognise there may be a number of hypothesis in the intervening time about many drivers and the place they are going to be subsequent season.
“All I need to do is give attention to my IndyCar racing the steadiness of this 12 months. No matter my future holds I’ll resolve with Zak.”
There are three races remaining within the IndyCar season, which resumes August 21 at World Broad Expertise Raceway exterior St. Louis.
Rosenqvist has one podium, two poles and is ranked ninth within the IndyCar standings.
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