SALINAS, Calif — The pressure was off for Felix Rosenqvist. He talked about how much of an effect that’s had on his psyche the last two weeks. Even though he was changing teams after the season concluded on Sunday in Laguna Seca, he felt like himself again.

A runner-up finish last Sunday in Portland and a pole this weekend on the 2.238-mile road course. However, his race ended quite early.

He led the first six laps but Alex Palou passed him for second off the final corner coming to Lap 7. Will Power snuck by too. Luckily, a quick caution came out a lap later. On the restart, Rosenqvist got back into second and settled in.

He pit for the first time on Lap 27. That’s where his race was lost. Fellow countrymate Marcus Ericsson spun him in Turn 1 after and his race was over from there. He’d limp home 19th on a day of what might have been.

“What a ride,” Rosenqvist said. “It really was a roller coaster for my final drive with Arrow McLaren. We started on pole with a mega car and a strong first half of the race. Then Marcus came into me and our day was ended from there. The No. 6 crew fought hard to stay in the race, but it’s a shame considering the potential we had going for us. I have to thank the team and especially my crew for the speed we had all season long. To have two poles and two podiums in the wild season that we had, I’m really proud of us and I leave with my head held high. It’s been really special racing with Arrow McLaren, and now I’m excited for what’s to come in 2024.”