Felix Rosenqvist wins Indy 500 by razor-thin margin, writes Swedish racing history

Felix Rosenqvist has etched his name in racing history by winning the iconic Indy 500, achieving victory with the narrowest margin ever recorded in the event. This triumph marks a crowning moment for the 34-year-old Swede, who deliberately chose the high-speed American series over a Formula 1 career.

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And the biggest congratulations to my Swedish brother. Such a worthy winner!

Rosenqvist's journey to the Indy 500 winner's circle is distinct from that of fellow Swede Marcus Ericsson, who also won the race in 2022 after a Formula 1 stint. Rosenqvist's path began in Asia and Europe, with notable success in Formula 3, including multiple wins in prestigious events like the Masters of Formula 3 and the Macau Grand Prix. His manager, former Formula 1 driver Stefan "Lill-Lövis" Johansson, recognized his talent but noted the significant financial backing required for a Formula 1 push, which was lacking.

Instead, Rosenqvist transitioned to DTM and Indy Lights, the feeder series for IndyCar. His early success in Indy Lights, including a win in his debut weekend with car number 14, the same number Kenny Bräck used for his 1999 Indy 500 victory, foreshadowed his eventual triumph. Bräck himself lauded Rosenqvist's performance, calling his final lap "perfect."

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He has that fire in his belly that makes him a fantastic race driver.

The race itself was a dramatic affair. Rosenqvist led with seven laps to go, but two late crashes forced a final restart with only one lap remaining. Starting third, he skillfully maneuvered past his rivals to secure the win by a mere 23 thousandths of a second. This victory solidifies Rosenqvist's place among racing legends and fulfills a long-held ambition.

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He becomes immortal in racing with this victory.