100 IndyCar Starts: Felix Rosenqvist reaches Milestone at Barber Motorsports Park

This weekend at Barber Motorsports Park, Felix Rosenqvist will line up on the grid for his 100th career start in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. For the Swedish driver, the milestone is far more than a number—it’s a reminder of childhood dreams, the battles of professional motorsport, and a hard-earned place among the top talents in North American open-wheel racing.

“It feels a bit unreal, to be honest,” Rosenqvist said during a press conference ahead of the event. “It kind of brings you back a little bit to when you were a kid, dreaming about driving in INDYCAR. 100 is a big number. That’s a lot of hours in the car.”​

From Värnamo to IndyCar

Felix Rosenqvist’s journey to the pinnacle of American open-wheel racing began in the unassuming town of Värnamo, nestled in the heart of southern Sweden. Born on November 7, 1991, Rosenqvist showed an early affinity for speed and precision. Like many elite drivers, his first experience with motorsport came through karting, a proving ground for future stars. But even at a young age, it was clear that Felix had something special.

His karting career quickly flourished, and he began climbing the European motorsport ladder. Unlike drivers who rely solely on well-funded junior programs, Rosenqvist forged his path through sheer performance and perseverance. His talent earned him a place in Formula Renault, and later Formula 3, where he truly made his mark.

The 2015 FIA Formula 3 European Championship was a turning point. Racing for Prema Powerteam—one of the premier outfits in junior racing—Rosenqvist dominated the field, winning 13 of 33 races and clinching the title ahead of future Formula 1 stars like Charles Leclerc and George Russell. His performance wasn’t just consistent; it was commanding, and it positioned him as one of the top prospects in global motorsport.

That same year, Rosenqvist also became a two-time winner of the Macau Grand Prix—a race often referred to as the “Monaco of junior racing.” He had previously won the event in 2014 and repeated the feat in 2015, joining a prestigious list of repeat champions including Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, and Edoardo Mortara. The Macau Grand Prix, with its razor-thin margins and treacherous street layout, is a test of skill and bravery—and Rosenqvist passed with flying colors.

But while many of his peers ascended directly to Formula 1 programs, Rosenqvist chose a different path. His next few years would see him compete in a wide variety of disciplines that would sharpen his adaptability and deepen his technical understanding of racecraft. He raced in:

• DTM (Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters) with Mercedes-AMG, gaining experience in high-performance touring cars.
• Formula E, the fully electric single-seater series, where he claimed three victories and finished third overall in the 2016–17 season while driving for Mahindra Racing.
• Super Formula Japan, a series known for its demanding circuits and F1-level machinery, where he continued to impress with both pace and race intelligence.

This broad experience shaped Rosenqvist into a driver known not only for raw speed, but for a methodical and analytical approach. He could switch between vastly different machinery and immediately be competitive—a rare quality in the racing world.

By 2018, after guest stints and testing in various series, the long-anticipated call came. Chip Ganassi Racing, one of the most successful and respected teams in American motorsport, offered him a full-time seat in the 2019 INDYCAR season. The decision marked a turning point in his career. Rosenqvist wasn’t just entering a new series—he was embracing a new racing culture, a new country, and an entirely different style of competition.

INDYCAR, with its mix of street circuits, road courses, and high-speed ovals, would test every aspect of his driving. But Rosenqvist, with his vast international experience and technical knowledge, proved ready for the challenge. He made his INDYCAR debut in 2019 at the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg and quickly turned heads with his qualifying pace and daring racecraft.

Rosenqvist quickly impressed, earning 2019 INDYCAR Rookie of the Year honors and nearly winning at Mid-Ohio with a thrilling second-place finish. The breakthrough moment came in 2020 at Road America, where he claimed his maiden INDYCAR victory in a fierce battle with Pato O’Ward.

“I think winning my only race in Road America is the highlight,” he said. “I had a good battle with my buddy Pato. It was a special race, for sure.”​

On the move

After two seasons with Ganassi, Rosenqvist moved to Arrow McLaren SP in 2021, where flashes of brilliance often collided with inconsistency. In 2024, he took on a new challenge with Meyer Shank Racing, where a change in technical direction and team culture has already paid dividends.

As of his 100th start, Rosenqvist sits 4th in the 2025 championship standings after a string of top-10 finishes—his strongest season start yet.

“It’s been solid. We haven’t really had any bad weekends. We stepped up a bit from last year,” he said. “It’s not like we’ve been perfect—we still have a long way to go in some areas—but it’s very exciting.”​

Still Hungry, Still Learning

Even with 100 starts under his belt, Rosenqvist doesn’t rest on experience alone. He sees every weekend as a clean slate and approaches each race like a rookie.

“It’s a special series. You just keep learning and digging. In a way, you always feel like a rookie,” he said. “But I feel actually better than ever in the series.”​

And he’s not done yet:

“I’m also planning to stay for another hundred.”​

While Rosenqvist hasn’t yet scored a podium in 2025, he believes it’s coming soon. At Long Beach, he was on course for third until a fuel sensor issue derailed the effort. But his confidence is intact: “If you keep knocking on the door, qualifying well, having good race pace—it’s going to come. Not only a podium, but also a win at some point,” he said. “We’re not rushing it. We just want to do what we do and improve the little things.”​

Felix Rosenqvist’s first 100 INDYCAR starts have been defined by grit, growth, and adaptability in one of the world’s most demanding racing series. As he prepares for the next 100, there’s every indication that the best may still be ahead: „I think the biggest memories are probably to come,” he said. Let’s see what he can do this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park.

Philipp Kraus / Media Credit – Penske Entertainment: Travis Hinkle, Joe Skibinski