Felix Rosenqvist explains 'awkward timing' of leaving MSR, doesn't comment on future
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LEXINGTON, OH – Felix Rosenqvist's life continues to change in 2026.
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First, Rosenqvist and his wife, Emille, welcomed their daughter (and first child), Stella, in early May. Twenty days after that, Rosenqvist had the biggest moment of his IndyCar career, winning the Indianapolis 500 after passing two cars in a thrilling last-lap restart. Thirty-one days after that, it was confirmed that Rosenqvist will race for a new team in 2027, leaving Meyer Shank Racing after three years.
While speaking publicly for the first time since the announcement at The Local At 97 prior to the weekend's race at Mid-Ohio, the Swedish driver called moving on from MSR "more of a long-term decision."
"It's kind of an awkward timing where, winning the 500 or not, it's always awkward when your contract expires in the middle of a year like that," Rosenqvist said. "I've been in that boat before where you have to start making some tough decisions and you still have a lot of races to go. It's just the way things work in IndyCar, normally. The deals are made in May, June, July, and it's, in a way, unfortunate, but it's just the way it is."
Rosenqvist revealed that he informed MSR of his decision to leave before the Grand Prix at Road America, where he led the most laps in the race and finished eighth. Rosenqvist is currently sixth in the IndyCar standings, the same place he finished in 2025. With eight races to go, Rosenqvist feels his decision hasn't affected "the way we go about the day-to-day from here on."
"In the end of the day, we're all adults," he said, "and we can have a professional partnership here for the last couple of races."
Rosenqvist wouldn't comment on whether a deal or agreement with another team is in place. There is speculation that he could rejoin Arrow McLaren, which he raced for from 2021 to 2023 and never finished higher than eighth in the championship.
Rosenqvist and MSR co-owner Mike Shank have acknowledged that the trajectory of their partnership shifted after the Indy 500. As with any driver who wins the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, Rosenqvist's services — both from a driving standpoint and overall sponsorship potential — multiplied in value. The aftermath of winning what many believe to be the great 500 ever has led the 34-year-old to explore new options next year, despite being offered an extension by MSR.
"I think the initial idea was to stay, but we didn't really have any talks until after the 500, where there was interest from other teams during that time," Rosenqvist said.
"I do think that him winning and the way he won probably woke up some people that didn't think about him a lot," Shank told IndyStar last week. "Everyone kind of knows he’s strong at the 500, right? So I think the way he won, which was quite dramatic and really cool … I think that woke some people up, and I guess he had a decision to make after that."
Rosenqvist's decision was to depart from MSR, and he'll be one of IndyCar's most highly sought-after free agents, along with six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon, who Rosenqvist was teammates with at Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019 and 2020. Both drivers have been linked to Arrow McLaren, although neither has announced a decision.
Should both drivers head to Arrow McLaren, the Indy 500 champions would team up with eight-time race winner Pato O'Ward, who was the best man in Rosenqvist's wedding. Arrow McLaren would be able to boast three of the biggest names in the sport, although much is to be decided.
For now, it's known that Rosenqvist will be the first Indy 500 winner in nine years to join a new team in the following season. (Takuma Sato left Andretti Global for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing after 2017.) MSR now has a massive hole to fill, and Rosenqvist has a vital career choice to make.
Zion Brown is IndyStar's motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar's motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Felix Rosenqvist explains 'awkward timing' of leaving MSR, doesn't comment on future