Felix Rosenqvist raised doubts about the future of Álex Palou, newly hired by McLaren, and said he intends to continue with the team in Indy after his podium finish in Toronto
Felix Rosenqvist left Toronto with his first IndyCar podium in two years. Still, the focus was not on the Swede, but on McLaren's new signing: defending champion Álex Palou. The Swede revealed that the deal had already been closed months ago, but that he believes there is a possibility that the Spaniard will not compete in 2023 due to the legal dispute involving the Woking team and Ganassi.
"From what I've heard, it doesn't sound like Álex has...I mean, I don't know what's going on there. At the moment, it doesn't sound like he's going to race. It will depend on the lawyers and stuff. Honestly, it's none of my business. Honestly, I don't think anything has changed. This whole deal was closed months ago. I didn't know all the details that I know now, but nothing really has changed," explained Rosenqvist.
Last Tuesday afternoon Ganassi announced a contract renewal with Palou. Hours later, the driver himself communicated on his social networks that he did not recognize the agreement, that he had not authorized the quotation marks used in the statement, and that he wished to leave the team after the 2022 season.
Minutes later, McLaren announced the signing of the 25-year-old, but without specifying in which category Álex will race next year. In addition to Indy, the British team is setting up its Formula E team and may have a spot in Formula 1 if it chooses to terminate the contract with Australian Daniel Ricciardo. Palou has also joined the pre-race car testing program, which also features Pato O'Ward and Colton Herta, who recently tested the MCL35M in Portimao.
With Palou's announcement and with O'Ward and Alexander Rossi on bond, Felix seems destined to return to Formula E, but wants to stay at Indy. "I think if Zak [Brown, McLaren boss] was sure that I would go to Formula E, he would have already said so. I'm going to take that chance. If there is a chance for me to be here next year, I will try to prove that I can do it," said the Swede.
Rosenqvist signed a contract renewal in the same style as Álex, without specifying in which category he will compete. After finishing third in the Toronto GP, he said he wants to prove he deserves to stay in Indy. Graham Rahal even supported his colleague, and stated that if there was a vacancy at RLL, he would love to work with Felix. Asked about looking for a place in another team, the Swede left his fate in the hands of McLaren's boss.
"That is a question for Zak. I have already said that I am very happy with the team. I think we have worked hard over the last two years to make a very strong team. We have a good strategy, good pit-stops. I think I can now get the most out of the car on most weekends. I think if you asked me at the end of last year, obviously it would have been a different answer," Rosenqvist said.
"But now I'm very happy where I am. I think I would be crazy if I said I wanted to go somewhere else. I want to be where I am now. McLaren has become a home for me. But it depends on Zak. He is the man who is making the moves. It will probably take a few weeks before we know more. I hope today has changed something. My ambition is to keep proving myself in this way," concluded the Swede.
With the podium in Toronto, Rosenqvist is now ninth in the Indy standings with 244 points, 107 behind leader Marcus Ericsson of Ganassi. The series returns next Saturday (23), for the Iowa 1 GP, with full coverage by GRANDE PRÊMIO.