Felix Rosenqvist finished second in Sunday’s Grand Prix of Portland, but was quick to make his voice heard in post-race interviews.
The Swede was one of a few drivers that was backed up by lapped cars at one point during the race.
He was not angry at the drivers that raced him despite being a lap down as much as he was disappointed that IndyCar’s rules do not demand they move aside when the leaders come through.
“Some stints we looked really good,” said Rosenqvist. “The last one we were struggling a little bit. Yeah, it’s hard to pass.
“Yeah, from there it was just like a lapped car race, I guess. Sometimes you’re gaining three seconds because of a lap car, the next time you lose three seconds.
“I think, without sounding salty, I don’t think I would have won the race anyway, but I think it’s kind of time for us as a series to grow up and not have the lapped car situation. I think it makes us all look stupid.
“When you work hard and all of a sudden you lose five seconds behind a lapped car, I don’t think it’s right. I don’t think anyone wants to see that.
“Again, I don’t think I would have won anyways. I think all drivers probably agree with me.”
Not a new argument
Indeed, Will Power, who was sitting next to Rosenqvist during the podium interviews immediately chimed in to agree with the opinion.
The veteran has long held the belief there should be a strong blue flag rule in IndyCar, and experienced his own troubles during Sunday’s race.
Power inadvertently stayed out an extra lap after his crew called him in because of a momentary radio issue.
He was then stuck behind Sting Ray Robb, who fought very hard to keep Power behind through the quick Turn 10 bend.
In his typical brand of humor, which usually has more than a hint of his true opinions, Power agreed that it was well past time the rules should be updated.
“Yes, I agree with that,” said Power. “I mean, I’ve said it forever. It’s kind of ridiculous we have a 1970’s rule going on. ‘But we’ve always done that.’ Yeah, it’s a little bit different now.
“Drives me crazy all these cars. If IndyCar won’t do anything, I think all the drivers get together and have a gentlemen’s agreement. IndyCar: We don’t make the rules, we keep the same ones since the ’70s.”
The debate over lapped cars has indeed been brought up multiple times in recent years, but a major change in rules has not been implemented.
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