Arrow McLaren driver Felix Rosenqvist proved his worth as he showed incredible skill and determination in the second race of the weekend double-header. Despite starting from 16th position, Rosenqvist strategically maneuvered his way through the grid, executing successful overtakes to climb up the order. His progress was further aided by a timely yellow flag caused by Sting Ray Robb’s car losing a wheel, propelling him to fifth place. In the final stint of the race, the Swedish driver found himself elevated to second position after gaining ground during the green-flag pitstops. Aiming to challenge race leader Josef Newgarden, Rosenqvist launched an attack in the closing stages but was hindered by backmarkers. Although he had hope for a final opportunity to chase victory with a late-race caution, he was overtaken by Will Power at the green flag and pushed wide at Turn 1, dropping down to fifth place. Nevertheless, he fought his way back past Power’s Penske teammate Scott McLaughlin to secure an impressive fourth-place finish. While disappointed not to be on the podium, Rosenqvist acknowledged the positive momentum his team had gained.
Rosenqvist praised his McLaren engineers for their instrumental role in enhancing the performance of his car compared to the previous day’s race, where he had finished 13th. Despite encountering difficulties during Saturday’s race, the team made significant improvements overnight. The Arrow McLaren driver lauded the substantial leap in car performance, noting that while he had initially seen his car as a top-12 contender, it had transformed into a potential race-winning machine for Sunday’s event. Rosenqvist described the race as enjoyable and highlighted a moment when he had fallen a lap behind but managed to stage an impressive recovery. He commended his team for executing two excellent stints in the middle of the race, although he admitted to struggling towards the end. Overall, Rosenqvist’s performance showcased the team’s ability to adapt and make significant improvements within a short period.
Will Power, who finished second in the race, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance. The driver admitted to initially struggling but credited his engineer for making a crucial adjustment by reducing the car’s wing settings. This modification significantly improved Power’s pace, giving him a competitive car capable of challenging for victory. Power believed that pitting a few laps earlier would have increased his chances of securing second place behind Newgarden. Despite narrowly missing out on the top spot, Power was delighted with the overall performance of his car, considering it the best he had experienced at the circuit. He concluded by expressing his determination to eventually beat Newgarden in future races.
With Rosenqvist’s impressive drive and the significant car improvements made by McLaren, the team has gained valuable momentum heading into future races. The Swedish driver’s strategic navigation of the field and successful overtakes demonstrated his skill and determination. McLaren’s engineers played a vital role in enhancing the car’s performance, leading to a remarkable turnaround from a challenging previous race. Will Power’s second-place finish and praise for his car’s performance further emphasize the team’s competitiveness. As the season progresses, Arrow McLaren will undoubtedly strive to build upon their recent successes and continue to challenge the front-runners in the championship.
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