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Felix Rosenqvist Clinches Portland Pole with Steady Progress
Highlights
- Felix Rosenqvist earned pole at Portland Grand Prix, second this season.
- Alex Palou qualified second, just 0.0184 seconds behind Rosenqvist.
- Will Power and Marcus Ericsson qualified third and fourth respectively.
- Race starts Sunday at 4 p.m. ET, live on FOX networks.
- Rosenqvist to join Arrow McLaren next year, leaving Meyer Shank.
- David Malukas penalized, will drop six grid positions after violation.
Felix Rosenqvist claims the NTT P1 Award for the OnlyBulls Grand Prix of Portland, taking pole at Portland International Raceway on Saturday. It’s his second of 2026 and the eighth of his career.
He sets a 58.4828s lap in the Firestone Fast Six, delivered with three seconds remaining. Alongside him is Alex Palou after a 58.5012s, the margin a slender 0.0184s.
Rosenqvist credits iterative setup gains and disciplined execution. The team refines corner speed run by run after starting slightly off the pace, producing a calm, controlled peak when it mattered.
Rosenqvist’s 58.4828s pole lap arrived with three seconds left in the Fast Six.
This is his final season with Meyer Shank Racing, a two-time Indianapolis 500-winning outfit. A switch to Arrow McLaren awaits next season, returning him to Chevrolet power.
Palou, the points leader and four-time champion, again looks metronomic. He focuses on race pace and launch execution after narrowly missing pole.
Will Power qualifies third for Andretti Global with a 58.5130s. His Portland form remains strong, as underlined in recent analysis of his Portland run.
Marcus Ericsson takes fourth on 58.6729s after confirming a contract through 2027. Honda machinery locks out much of the sharp end, taking 10 of the first 12 grid positions.
Palou missed pole by just 0.0184s after a 58.5012s lap.
Chevrolet’s benchmark is Rinus VeeKay in fifth with 58.7701s for Juncos Hollinger Racing. Kyffin Simpson reaches the Firestone Fast Six for the first time this season and starts sixth.
Kyle Kirkwood is seventh on 58.8303s, missing the Fast Six by 0.0352s. Christian Lundgaard endures mechanical issues and qualifies 25th, underlining Portland’s punishing margins.
David Malukas will serve a six-place grid penalty for an engine infringement.
David Malukas qualifies ninth but receives a six-place grid drop for a prior engine-related violation. He trails Palou by 83 points, so damage limitation becomes essential on strategy.
Sunday’s race covers 110 laps of the 1.964-mile road course. Lights out is 4 p.m. ET on FOX networks, with additional features including the special delivery segment.
Portland’s 110-lap race starts Sunday at 4 p.m. ET on FOX networks.
Turn 1’s pinch point and potential cautions will shape stint lengths and tyre use. Rosenqvist and Palou start as favourites, but clean air may pivot quickly with undercut windows.
Visual Summary
3s LEFT
🏁
Felix Rosenqvist SNATCHES POLE in a
last-gasp bid!
last-gasp bid!
58.4828
seconds
(by just 0.018s)
🐻❄️
SiriusXM Honda in
Grateful Dead livery
Grateful Dead livery
Rosenqvist
58.4828
sec
sec
+0.018
Palou
58.5012
sec
sec
The Firestone Fast Six: 2026 Portland
1️⃣ Rosenqvist
2️⃣ Palou
3️⃣ Power
4️⃣ Ericsson
5️⃣ VeeKay
6️⃣ Simpson
Malukas -6 grid penalty
Kirkwood: Missed Fast Six by 0.035s
Lundgaard stuck in 25th
110 laps • 1.964 miles • Sunday 4pm ET
Can Rosenqvist go out on top in his final season?
It’s Honda dominance…
but
Palou chases history
It’s Honda dominance…
but
Palou chases history
Broadcast: FOX, Deportes, FOX One, INDYCAR Radio powered by OnlyBulls
Bonus features: Special Delivery, fan surprises & a wild Turn 1 incoming!
Bonus features: Special Delivery, fan surprises & a wild Turn 1 incoming!
Brian Thompson focuses on IndyCar Series news, from qualifying speeds at Indianapolis Motor Speedway to street-course race strategy. He delivers concise feature stories and technical breakdowns on chassis setups, tire choices, and championship standings for open-wheel enthusiasts.
