Felix Rosenqvist faced a significant setback at the Detroit Grand Prix after being eliminated during Round 1 of qualifying, a result largely influenced by his teammate Marcus Armstrong impeding his lap. The incident, which occurred in the early 2025 IndyCar season, left Rosenqvist visibly frustrated as he called out Armstrong for breaking their agreement not to interfere with each other’s runs.
Rosenqvist, 33, has been a strong contender since joining Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) last year, bringing valuable experience from his previous stints with teams like Chip Ganassi Racing and Arrow McLaren. With MSR based in Ohio, Rosenqvist has emerged as a team leader, providing consistent performances that have pushed the squad closer to the front of the grid.
Conflict Emerges Between Rosenqvist and Armstrong During Detroit Qualifying
Marcus Armstrong, who joined Meyer Shank Racing in the winter break before the 2025 season, had agreed early on to avoid hindering Rosenqvist during races and qualifying sessions. This mutual understanding appeared solid during the first few events but faltered during the Round 1 qualifying at Detroit.
While attempting a crucial lap to reach the Fast 12 segment, Rosenqvist encountered interference from Armstrong, which prevented him from advancing. The Swedish driver expressed his disappointment in the post-qualifying interview, accusing Armstrong of deliberately impeding his lap despite their pact:
“We had traffic, we are teammates; [Marcus] Armstrong is backing off in the middle of the lap. I guess he had a good laugh, whatever. We literally discussed it before, let’s not screw each other, and he literally did just time.”
—Felix Rosenqvist, IndyCar Driver
This incident marks a rare breakdown in cooperation between the two teammates, casting a shadow over MSR’s performance at Detroit, where both drivers failed to progress past the first qualifying round.
Felix Rosenqvist Praises Meyer Shank Racing’s Technical Excellence
Despite the current qualifying issues, Rosenqvist has praised Meyer Shank Racing’s technical proficiency and team operations. Although MSR is a relatively new team in IndyCar and has secured only one race win so far, Rosenqvist described its engineering and attention to detail as superior to many established competitors.
Speaking recently about the team’s strengths, Rosenqvist highlighted the advances made in car construction and race strategy that have elevated MSR’s competitiveness:
“I’ve been with a lot of good teams and I think the way they [Shank] build their cars is better than any other team. They’re really, really good and their attention to detail is next level, like the gearbox and uprights and everything.”
—Felix Rosenqvist, IndyCar Driver
“The big focus has been race pace, strategy, tyre management, fuel saving, all those things have been like 90% of everything I’ve tried to focus on in a week… The ovals were actually our strongest car, both on the short and the superspeedway.”
—Felix Rosenqvist, IndyCar Driver
These remarks underline Rosenqvist’s confidence in MSR’s direction, even as recent qualifying results fall short of expectations. Both Rosenqvist and Armstrong’s failure to reach the Fast 12 in Detroit emphasizes the challenges the team still faces in capitalizing on its technical advantages.
The Road Ahead for Meyer Shank Racing and Its Drivers
The Detroit qualifying incident serves as a pivotal moment early in the 2025 season for Meyer Shank Racing. How the team resolves the friction between Rosenqvist and Armstrong will be crucial for maintaining competitiveness and cohesion. Rosenqvist’s leadership and experience will likely be key in navigating this challenge.
Looking forward, MSR aims to convert its technical strengths and strategic focus into stronger qualifying and race performances. With Rosenqvist still optimistic about the team’s potential, upcoming races will test whether the drivers can rebuild trust and deliver results that reflect MSR’s capabilities on a more consistent basis.