Felix Rosenqvist has addressed speculation about potential tension with David Malukas following their historic photo finish at the Indianapolis 500, revealing that his rival congratulated him despite the heartbreaking loss.
The 34-year-old champion secured victory by a mere .0233 seconds over Malukas in what became the closest finish in the race's storied history. Speaking this week in New York City, Rosenqvist dismissed any notion of animosity between the competitors.
"No [bad blood], we had a great chat at the red carpet, at the banquet, and we hugged it out. I could tell he was happy for me," Rosenqvist told TMZ. "I've been in his shoes, as well. When you're so close. It was really cool to see all the drivers congratulating me, and I felt like a lot of them were truly happy for me, so we'll see it as a win for the sport with a finish we were able to produce."
The dramatic conclusion to the race unfolded during the final lap when Malukas appeared to have the victory secured heading into the last corner. Rosenqvist, who had been running in third place behind his Meyer Shank Racing teammate Marcus Armstrong, executed a perfectly timed maneuver to claim the checkered flag.
The Swedish driver and Armstrong jockeyed for position in the closing moments before Rosenqvist made his decisive move, slingshotting around the first-place car to cross the finish line ahead of Malukas by the narrowest margin in Indianapolis 500 history.
Rosenqvist also discussed the traditional milk celebration that follows every Indianapolis 500 victory, explaining his approach to the iconic ritual.
"I was always gonna pour it over me. I wanted it to be on the car as well. So I was standing in the seat. I had a pretty hefty gulp. I drank a lot of it. I was pretty dehydrated. And then I was like, 'Let's do it!' And the milk just poured over my hat, it was like a complete shield. It was like a waterfall. It got all over the car," Rosenqvist said, speaking to TMZ. "It was great. It was the way I wanted to do it, for sure."
The victory represents a career-defining moment for Rosenqvist and adds another thrilling chapter to the Indianapolis 500's legacy of dramatic finishes. The sportsmanship displayed by both drivers in the aftermath underscores the mutual respect that exists among competitors at the highest level of motorsport.
