Felix Rosenqvist is adamant that Meyer Shank Racing will be a step ahead of the rest of the field with the hybrid component of the power unit.
The Swedish driver is switching to Meyer Shank Racing for the upcoming season, a team with a multitude of experience in racing with hybrid power.
Rosenqvist is confident that his new team will have an edge when hybrid comes into play later this season due to the team’s, Honda’s and the history both drivers have with this technology.
“We talked about it [with Tom Blomqvist]. As one of the smaller teams, I think we probably have many advantages. Our partner, Honda, is deeply involved in hybrid tech in F1.
“We have Meyer Shank Racing, who competed very competitively in IMSA with a hybrid. We have Tom, who’s been in Formula E and is probably the strongest driver in recent times in IMSA with a hybrid. And then you have myself, who drove in Formula E for two and a half years.”
Meyer Shank Racing is fielding a hugely experienced three-car lineup. Rosenqvist gathered a sizeable amount of track time with electric power, racing in Formula E for two and a half years.
Blomqvist made his IndyCar debut last season at Toronto and has driven with Meyer Shank in IMSA, winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2022.
Rosenqvist: “I think we all have some experience, which makes a big difference.
“For some people working in INDYCAR, this is all brand-new stuff, and for us, it’s not.
“If you look at the direct competition, we have an advantage.
“You’re always going to be under pressure in professional sports. Don’t get me wrong. But as I said before, I feel like what’s expected out of me is pretty clear from Mike. My expectations are pretty clear.”
The 32-year-old is moving to Meyer Shank for 2024 after a mixed three-year stint at Arrow McLaren. Although he bagged four poles with the team, Rosenqvist failed to convert any of them into a victory.
The Swede is not feeling unusual amounts of pressure about moving to a new team and is settling into Indianapolis ahead of the new season.
“It was a weight off my shoulders once we decided to partner. I know that my kind of short/long-term future is precise.
“I also bought a house here in Indy. I’m getting married this year. It’s a different point in my life where I feel like I’ve settled in a little bit in Indy, which feels great because before, I was kind of like one foot in Europe, one foot here, not committed or — kind of half committed everywhere. And now I’m like all in on being here in the States. That’s a great feeling.”
The new season will kick off with the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the 10th of March and will roll on for 17 rounds.
