Felix Rosenqvist’s promising run to a potential podium finish at the 2025 Long Beach Grand Prix was derailed in the closing stages when fuel management issues forced him to surrender third place to Christian Lundgaard.
Despite starting strong and maintaining consistent pace throughout most of the 90-lap event, the Meyer Shank Racing driver had to settle for fourth place after what he described as a frustrating turn of events.
Rosenqvist showed strong pace at the IndyCar Long Beach GP
Rosenqvist showed impressive speed from the drop of the green flag, slotting in behind the Andretti Autosport duo of Kyle Kirkwood and Colton Herta when the race began. As the initial pit stop sequence unfolded through the frantic opening laps, Rosenqvist maintained his position near the front of the field, suggesting that Meyer Shank Racing had found an excellent setup for the challenging Long Beach street circuit.
When the dust settled after the first round of pit stops, Rosenqvist found himself in third position behind Kirkwood and championship leader lex Palou. This demonstrated that he had the pace to compete with the frontrunners from Andretti and Chip Ganassi Racing.
The extended 90-lap distance for this year’s Long Beach GP created new strategic opportunities, and Rosenqvist’s team navigated the first two pit stop windows effectively. He was among the first of the leading pack to stop during the second round of pit stops, along with Scott McLaughlin, and emerged in good position to maintain his place in the podium battle.
As the race progressed toward its final stages, Rosenqvist remained solidly in contention for a top-three finish, showcasing the progress Meyer Shank Racing has made with their street course package.
Late-race fuel confusion
What appeared to be a straightforward run to the podium took an unexpected turn in the closing laps when Rosenqvist’s pace suddenly diminished. The Swedish driver, who had been maintaining his position comfortably, began losing significant time to Lundgaard behind him.
With five laps remaining, Lundgaard made his move into turn 1, passing Rosenqvist and claiming the final podium position. The Meyer Shank Racing driver was unable to respond as he continued to manage what he believed was a critical fuel situation.
“We had an issue with our fuel metering so, then we had a massive save suddenly,” Rosenqvist explained after the race. “Then in the end we were actually like ‘we didn’t need to save’ then we were flat out.”
Frustration despite solid points
Despite the disappointment of missing out on what seemed to be a certain podium during the IndyCar Long Beach GP, Rosenqvist maintained perspective on the bigger picture after the race.
“Honestly it’s a solid start to the year in points,” he reflected. “I kind of feel like we gave Christian [Lundgaard] a present. So it was kind of frustrating that we just gave it to him, a podium is a podium you know so, I think it stinks extra. At the end of the day it’s a couple of points and in the grand scheme of things it’s a pretty good day.”
The fourth-place finish continues what has been a consistent start to the 2025 season for Rosenqvist, who has shown improved form with Meyer Shank Racing. While the miscommunication regarding fuel consumption cost him valuable championship points, his performance throughout the weekend demonstrated that both driver and team have the pace to compete for podiums on a regular basis.
