Arrow McLaren SP IndyCar driver Felix Rosenqvist hopes there is ‘more in the pipeline’ after a ‘painful year’

• Felix Rosenqvist is hoping he can bounce back from a 'painful year' that saw him crash heavily in Detroit.
• The IndyCar driver missed two rounds and is focused on helping his teammate go for the championship.
• Rosenqvist joined Arrow McLaren SP this year and believes there is 'more in the pipeline.'
• Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

IndyCar star Felix Rosenqvist is hoping he can bounce back from a "painful year" but is confident there is "more in the pipeline."

The 29-year-old Arrow McLaren SP driver crashed heavily in June during a race in Detroit and was forced to miss two rounds of racing, effectively ending his season in a competitive sense, but Rosenqvist is trying to see the positive.

"I've been really happy to join the team and we went into the season really well prepared but it's just been one of those years," Rosenqvist told Insider.

"A lot of small mistakes here and there, not only from me but some poor pit stops, some bad luck and it just adds up over a year.

"We're nowhere really, especially after missing those two rounds, so we're just trying to focus on the road courses, to find my mojo there a little bit more with the setup of the car and get a bit more confidence. I think during that, we will probably find results automatically."

While his season has no clear goal, his new teammate Pato O'Ward is gunning for the championship and Rosenqvist said he now is focused on helping the Mexican reach that goal.

"I feel like I've learned a lot from him, probably more than any other driver I've been with. We work great together, we haven't had any issues with anything. It's just been smooth sailing between us and I think you need that when you're only two cars in a team. You need to be able to work closely together and aim for the same goal.

"Pato is in a good position for the championship so I want to steal points from the others and be in a position where we can help him and give him the best possible tools to go for the championship."

Rosenqvist joined Arrow McLaren SP after two years with Chip Ganassi Racing but despite the difficult start, the Swede thinks there is more to come from both him and his team.

"It's a team that's up and coming after last year. The team really moved into a position where it's clear that we're no longer participating, we're fighting for wins and championships, even if it's not been the case with me this year. That's where we want to be.

"I think it's only the start as well. There's so much in the pipeline. There's still so many things we want to use such as our partnership with McLaren to keep improving. It will be exciting going forward for sure."

The Swedish driver has 14 years of race experience but highlighted IndyCar as the most difficult, despite winning Rookie of the Year in his first season.

"I thought it was difficult when I joined and that's when I had my best season to date. I had a really good first year and then it's been a tough run since then but we don't give up and it makes me even more hungry to have success.

"I know when you go through periods like this, whenever it turns around you come back really strong so I just have to keep digging and enjoy the challenge even if it's been a painful year."

Rosenqvist was speaking at the unveiling of a special livery, designed by a competition winner, set to be used at the inaugural Music City Grand Prix in Nashville.