Rosenqvist edges Malukas in narrowest Indy 500 finish in history
Rain-interrupted race sees Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist defeat David Malukas in a photo finish, while Josef Newgarden retires after crash
Felix Rosenqvist has secured victory at the Indianapolis 500, defeating Team Penske’s David Malukas by a margin of two one-hundredths of a second in the closest finish in the event’s 110-year history. The 200-mile race, which was significantly disrupted by rain and multiple yellow flag periods, concluded with a dramatic final-lap dash that saw Rosenqvist’s Honda-powered machine edge past Malukas’s Chevrolet-powered car in the final stretch.
The result marks a significant missed opportunity for Roger Penske, who narrowly avoided missing his record 21st Indy 500 win. Malukas, who joined Team Penske for the 2026 season and is set to replace Will Power, finished second despite driving the fastest car of the event. Malukas described the outcome as a heartbreaker, stating he gave 150 per cent effort and nearly crashed the car on every lap, yet still finished in second place.
Team Penske’s strategic decisions in the closing stages proved pivotal. While the team adhered to its planned pit strategy, Rosenqvist and McLaren driver Pato O’Ward employed a fuel-saving gambit by declining a final pit stop. This allowed them to gain track position, running slower to conserve fuel while chasing the freshly topped-up cars of Malukas, Malukas’s teammate Scott McLaughlin, and reigning champion Alex Palou.
The race dynamics shifted dramatically on lap 125 when Josef Newgarden crashed and retired from the event. Newgarden had surged from 23rd on the grid to fourth place before the incident, which reset the field under a long yellow flag period. McLaughlin, who finished third, stormed from eighth to secure his podium position on the final lap.
Reigning champion Alex Palou finished seventh after running up front for much of the race. Rosenqvist’s victory marks his second career IndyCar win and places him among the elite group of Swedish drivers to win the event, alongside Kenny Brack and Marcus Ericsson. The win comes in the same month the 34-year-old became a first-time father.
