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Arrow McLaren Portland GP: Race Report

McLaren RacingArrow McLaren Portland GP: Race Report

3 September 2023 00:00 (UTC)

ARROW McLAREN PORTLAND GP: RACE REPORT

"One more to go here. Let's finish strong"

Arrow McLaren Portland GP: Race Report Sponsor

One car on the podium, and two cars in the top four!

Felix Rosenqvist climbed through the field from his 11th starting position to second by the end of the race. This is his second podium of the 2023 season.

Pato O'Ward started sixth and finished fourth, battling inside the top five all day. He moves forward one place in the championship standings to fourth.

Alexander Rossi had a difficult first pit stop, having to wait on a competitor to enter his pit stall first, losing multiple positions after. Battling his way back into the top 10, a late-race restart led to contact where he was required to change front wings, finishing P20.

Read what the drivers, as well as Racing Director Gavin Ward said Sunday's 110-lap race.

Race Date

Sunday, September 3

Round

16 of 17

Total Laps

110 laps

Total Race Distance

216 miles / 347.6 km

Length

1.96 miles / 3.16 km

Number of Turns

12

Felix Rosenqvist, Driver, No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:

"We didn't get the win, but to me, that was kind of a comeback. We had a really good strategy. Team Chevy gave us really good power, and everything was just rolling our way, which it's been awhile since it's felt that way. The flow was just there throughout the race. That was good fun; I really enjoyed that."

Starting Position

11th

Finishing Position

2nd

Championship Standings

12th

311 points

Pato O'Ward, Driver, No. 5 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:

"I wouldn't have changed anything with the strategy. I was very happy and comfortable with the car, and I felt like I drove a really good race. It's just frustrating; it's the same story every time. As soon as we get to lapped cars, it's always a race to get by them. They really destroy and diminish your chances to fight for a better position. In this case, it was a podium position. We had the pace for that, but when someone in front of you is doing everything in their power to block you, blowing their push to pass so you use yours, that shouldn't be happening in a series like this. I hope to see the rules change in the future. But for now, we'll settle for a P4. I'm bummed, because the team deserved more today with the performance we had in pit lane, the strategy and lap times we were putting out."

Starting Position

6th

Finishing Position

4th

Championship Standings

4th

461 points

Alexander Rossi, Driver, No. 7 VELO Arrow McLaren Chevrolet, said:

"I think we were recovering from a bad first stop due to the sequence of cars coming in when we were trying to leave, and we were on for a fifth, sixth-place day. I was overtaking Marcus Ericsson when he moved in the straight, broke our front wing and that was our day. It's a shame. We struggled this weekend to really get the balance right, but the race was probably the best part of the weekend, and it was going to be a pretty good day for the team. It still was, obviously, but it's a shame we weren't also able to get a result."

Starting Position

9th

Finishing Position

20th

Championship Standings

9th

349 points

Gavin Ward, Racing Director, Arrow McLaren, said:

"That was a strong day for the team. Top two Chevys, you have to be happy with that. And we secured another podium, which makes 10 on the year and our fifth second-place finish. It was a great day for Felix and the No. 6 SmartStop Arrow McLaren Chevrolet crew, they executed on a really high level, and he's had pace all weekend, so I'm really happy for him. Pato had a strong race to get the most out of what was available there. I thought we were going to have all three cars in the top 10, but unfortunately there was a little incident with Alexander toward the end that ruined that one. One more to go here. Let's finish strong."

ARROW McLAREN INDYCAR TEAM

PARTNERS
Chevrolet - Grid Logo
NTT Data - Grid Logo
Smartstop - Grid Logo
VELO - Grid Logo
Onsemi - Grid Logo
California Closets Logo
Collars & Co. - Grid Logo
Expand Machinery - Grid Logo
Firestone - Grid Logo
Keco - Grid Logo
Mechanix Wear - Grid Logo
NewAge Products Logo
Republic Airways - Grid Logo
Stratasys - Grid Logo