Arrow McLaren’s Felix Rosenqvist in the No.6 NTT DATA Arrow McLaren Chevrolet will start Sunday’s Honda Indy 200 at the Mid-Ohio Sportscar course from tenth place.
Speaking following the action he said:
I’m a little bit bummed. We start in top 10, but I couldn’t get my tires up to temp. I had traffic and had to follow the guys in front of me. I started my lap with cold Firestones. The timing wasn’t right. We had more in it. I think we had a top-six car, but it’s a good starting place. It’s not bad, so we just have to figure out how to put the car into race mode now and go from there.”
Alexander Rossi in the No.7 VELO Chevrolet starts the race from P13 and speaking following the action he commented saying:
It’s been a tough weekend. We just haven’t quite found a good balance with the car. I don’t really know what tomorrow holds from a weather standpoint or a race standpoint. It was just a disappointing day overall for everyone, and we’re going to have to be pretty aggressive with the race and strategy tomorrow.”
Pato O’Ward had a dreadful session as he starts the race from 25th place in the No.5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
It was my mistake. I just feel for the team. We had a really fast car, but that doesn’t mean we can’t go forward tomorrow, right? It was all on me. I just lost the rear. It got to an angle where I couldn’t save it, and I stalled it as soon as I got into the grass. It sucks. You’re taking these cars to the limit, and sometimes these things will happen. It’s probably not going to be the last time it happens, so you just have to look forward. At least this isn’t a race; this is just qualifying. The race is super long, so we can make a lot of spots when you have a comfortable car underneath you. We’ll go forward tomorrow; I have no doubt in my mind.”
Arrow McLaren Race Director Gavin Ward commented saying:
“First off, we’re wishing Simon Pagenaud a speedy recovery. I hate to see a big accident like that. I’m glad it wasn’t any worse. It was a tough day for the team. We were expecting more going into qualifying. We thought we had two cars that had a shot for pole there, so coming away with our best car in 10th is a let down. Pato had a little spin there that took him out of contention. Felix got a little held up on his out lap prep there on his Q2 run, which compromised him. I think we had a little more pace in it. With Alexander, we just narrowly missed out in Q1. We’ve been looking for a bit of pace this weekend, and I’m sure we’ll find it. We have a busy night tonight, but we’ll be alright.”