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Felix Rosenqvist will move to Arrow McLaren SP for the 2021 IndyCar season, with Alex Palou replacing him at Chip Ganassi Racing.
Rosenqvist’s move was strongly rumoured in recent weeks following the news that Arrow McLaren SP was releasing rookie Oliver Askew at the end of this year.
Rosenqvist joins Pato O’Ward at the McLaren-affiliated team.
Co-owner Sam Schmidt said the team had been “watching Felix since he came over to Indy Lights in 2016 and have been constantly impressed by his performance”.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown added: “It’s not very often that you get the opportunity to combine two young, established talents like Pato and Felix”.
Rosenqvist will have his first run with his new team in a test at Barber Motorsports Park next Monday.
Highly-rated from a career that had included a European Formula 3 title, Formula E race wins, third in the Super Formula standings at the first attempt and Indy Lights victories on his first US single-seater foray, Rosenqvist was expected to thrive at Ganassi in IndyCar when he joined the field last year.
Third on the grid for his first start in the series and pole for his fifth event hinted that a very successful partnership ahead.
But Rosenqvist didn’t win until this July’s Road America round, and was only 11th in this year’s championship as team-mate Scott Dixon took a sixth title.
Ganassi announced yesterday that Marcus Ericsson, its third driver this season, was staying on for 2021. It announced on Thursday afternoon that Roseqvist’s seat would be taken by Palou – who switches from Dale Coyne Racing.
“To say I’m thrilled or excited to be making this step in my career would be an understatement,” said Palou.
“Driving for Chip Ganassi is just a dream come true. I’ve followed the team for as long as I can remember, and it’s the kind of team and owner any driver would want to race for.
“Scott has had another tremendous season, reaching 50 wins and a sixth title, so you absolutely couldn’t ask for anything more in a teammate.
“I can’t wait to work with Marcus and Jimmie as well, and to start contributing to the team and getting to spend more time with everyone.”
