For Felix Rosenqvist, progress in INDYCAR has never been defined by dramatic transformation. It has been defined by accumulation. Small gains. Refined understanding. And an awareness that in one of motorsport’s most competitive championships, the difference between anonymity and contention is often measured in tenths of a second.
At the conclusion of the two day open test at Phoenix Raceway, Rosenqvist’s seventh place finish on the combined timing sheets did not immediately stand out. But within the context of INDYCAR’s compressed performance window, it represented exactly what matters most. Proximity.
“I wouldn’t say that we feel overconfident or anything,” Rosenqvist said. “It’s pretty tight. When it matters, it’s probably going to be the whole field in maybe three or four tenths. If you can find one tenth, that’s going to be huge.”
That perspective defines Rosenqvist’s approach entering the 2026 season with Meyer Shank Racing. In INDYCAR, outright dominance is rare. Competitiveness is built instead on consistency, adaptability, and the ability to extract incremental performance across varying conditions.
Phoenix provided a reminder of exactly how fragile that balance can be.
Phoenix Raceway is not defined by its length or its spectacle. It is defined by its subtlety. Small changes in weather, wind, and track temperature fundamentally alter the car’s behavior. Drivers must respond instantly, recalibrating their inputs while engineers search for stability within constantly shifting parameters.
Rosenqvist experienced that dynamic firsthand throughout the test.
“The track really flipped around,” he explained. “From the morning to the afternoon, even though the conditions seemed similar, the balance was completely different.” 163981
That unpredictability complicates preparation. A setup that feels stable in one session may become unmanageable in the next. The challenge is not simply achieving performance, but preserving it.
“You’re trying to have a car setup that is consistent and doesn’t change so much depending on wind and weather,” Rosenqvist said.
That requirement aligns directly with Meyer Shank Racing’s development philosophy. Stability enables drivers to operate with confidence. Confidence enables performance.
Understanding IndyCar’s Competitive Reality
Few drivers on the INDYCAR grid understand the importance of marginal gains better than Rosenqvist. His career has been shaped by environments where precision determined outcomes. Championships are not won through isolated brilliance alone. They are built through accumulation.
Phoenix reinforced that reality.
In Rosenqvist’s assessment, the entire field operates within an exceptionally narrow performance range. The difference between seventh and first may be measured not in seconds, but in fractions.
“If you can find one tenth, that’s going to be huge,” he repeated.
That statement reflects both the opportunity and the challenge facing Meyer Shank Racing. The team has demonstrated the ability to compete, but sustained success requires extracting those tenths consistently across every circuit type.
One of the most significant variables observed during the Phoenix test involved tire degradation. The newly introduced tire construction produced noticeable performance variation across longer runs.
“There is definitely degradation,” Rosenqvist said. “Probably around a second to a second and a half.”
That degradation introduces strategic complexity. Tire management becomes a decisive factor, influencing overtaking opportunities and race outcomes. Drivers who preserve their tires gain access to performance advantages later in stints.
Rosenqvist recognized the implications immediately.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we had like a two second delta from new tires to old tires,” he said.
That variability may ultimately shape how races at Phoenix unfold.
Although Rosenqvist has competed at Phoenix before, the track’s evolving conditions and INDYCAR’s technical changes required fresh adaptation.
“It kind of felt like a new track again,” he admitted.
That sense of rediscovery highlights the evolving nature of INDYCAR competition. Tracks do not remain static. Tire compounds, aerodynamic packages, and environmental conditions continually reshape their characteristics.
Drivers must evolve accordingly.
For Rosenqvist, that process is familiar. His career has spanned multiple teams, manufacturers, and competitive environments. Each transition required adjustment. Each adjustment contributed to his technical maturity.
Meyer Shank Racing’s Development Trajectory
Meyer Shank Racing enters 2026 with increasing competitive ambition. The team has steadily expanded its technical capability, refining its engineering processes and strengthening its operational structure.
Testing sessions like Phoenix play a critical role in that progression.
“It’s just nice to have a little extra testing before the year kicks off,” Rosenqvist said. “Normally we only do Sebring and then straight to St. Pete.”
Additional testing accelerates development. It allows engineers to analyze data, evaluate setups, and identify performance opportunities before the season begins.
For Rosenqvist, that preparation provides clarity.
Beyond technical considerations, Rosenqvist emphasized the importance of rhythm. Drivers perform best when they maintain continuity between sessions and races.
Testing provides that continuity.
“It’s good to get warm in the seat,” he explained. “To do laps with the guys on pit wall and stay on top of your game.”
That familiarity strengthens communication between driver and team. It builds trust. It enhances efficiency.
These intangible factors often determine competitive outcomes as much as raw speed.
One of Phoenix Raceway’s defining characteristics is the commitment required in its high speed corners. Drivers must trust the car’s balance even as grip levels fluctuate.
Rosenqvist described the experience with characteristic precision.
“You really send it in hard,” he said. “You turn in flat, go through the dip, and let the banking save you.”
That level of commitment separates confident drivers from hesitant ones. Confidence emerges through preparation, experience, and trust in the car.
As the 2026 INDYCAR season approaches, Felix Rosenqvist finds himself in a position defined not by expectation, but by opportunity. Meyer Shank Racing continues to build its technical strength, and Rosenqvist enters the year with a deeper understanding of the team, the car, and the demands of the championship.
In a series where consistency often outweighs isolated brilliance, his ability to remain close to the front across a variety of circuits could quietly shape his season. The margins remain narrow, but that reality works both ways.
With stability behind him and confidence growing, Rosenqvist does not need dramatic change to alter his trajectory. He needs continuity, execution, and the ability to capture those decisive tenths when they appear. In INDYCAR, that is often how seasons, and careers, take their next step forward.
written by Philipp Kraus // Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
