INDIANAPOLIS — Felix Rosenqvist led the final Indianapolis 500 practice before qualifying weekend, topping Fast Friday’s speed chart with a top speed of 233.372 mph.
But the Meyer Shank Racing driver admitted the speed didn’t feel obvious from inside the cockpit.
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“I thought we were pretty far off,” Rosenqvist said.
Still, when the boost was turned up and teams began revealing their true qualifying form, Rosenqvist found his way to the top.
“Sometimes that happens,” he said. “Once you find the will of speed, it kind of comes.”
And after his first time leading Fast Friday, Rosenqvist is no longer downplaying expectations heading into qualifying.
“Excited for tomorrow,” Rosenqvist said. “I didn’t really go into the day thinking we might have a chance on pole. Now, I’m kind of hungry for it.”
Rosenqvist will be the 11th driver in Saturday’s qualifying order — a draw he welcomed.
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“I think early is always good here,” Rosenqvist said.
Rosenqvist’s closest challenger Friday was Alexander Rossi, who posted the second-fastest speed at 232.932 mph. Rossi said qualifying may ultimately come down to weather, especially with conditions changing by the day.
“It’ll all depend on what we get weather-wise,” Rossi said. “That’s the name of the game around here.”
Rossi noted the unpredictability has defined much of May.
“It’s just one of those months in Indianapolis, where you get two or three days of consistency, and it flips on its head,” he said.
Rosenqvist agreed that shifting conditions could reshape the qualifying picture, but said Meyer Shank Racing has grown comfortable adjusting to different weather offsets.
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“Weather is always tricky,” Rosenqvist said.
Jessica Garcete is an IndyStar sports reporter. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to theYouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Felix Rosenqvist, Alexander Rossi on weather, Indy 500 qualifying
