The Swede’s tempo all through the weekend has been a pressure that was capped by a claiming the monitor file en path to a entrance row begin for Sunday’s 100-lap race to kick off the 2024 IndyCar Sequence season.
Throughout the High 12 phase of qualifying, Rosenqvist dispatched a flying lap of 59.2706s across the 1.8-mile, 14-turn short-term avenue circuit that struck down the mark of 59.3466s set by Will Energy in 2022, which additionally vaulted him into the Quick Six.
In the long run, the pole eluded the 32-year-old by the narrowest of margins – 0.0058s, in reality, making it the closest entrance row in an IndyCar occasion on a avenue circuit since June 2012 (Belle Isle) when Scott Dixon edged Energy by 0.0044s – as Group Penske’s Josef Newgarden made a late surge to assert the 17th of his respective profession.
Nonetheless, although, the efficiency by Rosenqvist was sterling contemplating he’s within the midst of his maiden race weekend with Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) after an offseason swap from Arrow McLaren.
“I really feel like I have been driving very pure all weekend,” Rosenqvist mentioned. “I have not thought an excessive amount of about the way in which I put the automotive and brake and go in energy. It is sort of been coming naturally, and that is I believe while you carry out the perfect.
“Fortunate to be in that state of affairs. My crew has executed an incredible job to sort of determine what I like with the automotive, and clearly Andretti, us being a tight-knit group, that is helped massively as properly. Yeah, wonderful up to now. Nonetheless 100 laps to go.”
Rosenqvist, who paced opening observe on Friday, not solely delivered his finest qualifying outing in St. Petersburg, nevertheless it marked the fourth time MSR earned a entrance row begin (2020 – Indy GP, 2020 – Street America, 2021 – St. Pete).
“I believe it is a huge enhance for the entire crew,” mentioned Rosenqvist, a five-time pole-sitter in IndyCar. “I believe after we got here right here this week and I may inform that individuals have been hesitant to imagine that we have been as fast as we have been in testing, however after P1 everybody is sort of a huge aid. We’re in it. We’re good.
“Truly, actually Mike (Shank, co-owner) and I’ve been speaking, and we have been speaking largely about race craft as a result of I believe that is most likely extra a private factor with me. I have been usually robust in qualifying, however I believe race craft is one thing that I need to enhance.
“We have been focusing extra on that. We thought that if we put every thing collectively, we needs to be good in qualifying. Particularly right here. It is a package deal that we all know fairly properly. I am usually fairly good right here.
“Yeah, simply full give attention to the race. I believe warmup goes to be enormous for us. Simply sort of get that first long term below our belt and see how the automotive is on full tank and all that good things.
“Nonetheless early days. I believe we rejoice a little bit bit. This result’s an excellent cool day for us. We are going to recharge for tomorrow.”
That is the second time period for Rosenqvist behind the wheel of a Honda-powered machine. He was fueled by the Japanese producer throughout his first two years with Chip Ganassi Racing, which included a win at Street America in 2020. He was propelled by Chevrolet throughout his three years with Arrow McLaren.
When requested by Motorsport.com if the Honda powerband suited his fashion higher, Rosenqvist expressed some ideas.
“There’s professionals and cons on all types of tracks,” mentioned Rosenqvist. “I believe perhaps it falls me a bit extra naturally, this engine, nevertheless it’s so shut. Some tracks you may be higher; some worse. Over the season I believe there’s virtually nothing in it, however I am comfortable to be again with Honda.
“Clearly, it is the identical sort of engine as once I final drove it, so I really feel prefer it’s nonetheless sort of in your muscle reminiscence a little bit bit the way you drive this engine. Yeah, undoubtedly it went fairly fast to get used to it.”
