Felix sets storming pace to lead opening day of Indy 500 qualifying

 First Day Qualifying: P1 (233.947 mph)

Felix produced one of the fastest four-lap runs ever seen at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to lead the first day of qualifying for the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Felix achieved an average speed of 233.947 mph (376.5 km/h) over a spectacular ten-mile qualifying run on Saturday, leading an Arrow McLaren 1-2 ahead of team-mate and 2016 “500” winner Alexander Rossi.

Felix's qualifying attempt is one of the fastest in history at “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing”, only bettered on two previous occasions: in the record-setting run of Arie Luyendyk in 1996, and in 2022, when Scott Dixon set the fastest-ever pole position effort at 234.046 mph.

As well as leading the four-lap average charts, Felix also set the fastest individual lap of the day at 234.329 mph (377.1 km/h).

In leading the times on Saturday, he comfortably advances to the decisive second day of qualifying on Sunday, when the top four rows of the grid will be locked in. All four Arrow McLaren cars will progress after a stout collective showing on Saturday.

🗣️“Wow. I have no words for that. That was a phenomenal run. Big thanks to Arrow McLaren and Chevrolet, who have done a fantastic job. Every time we’re out there we’re learning something, but when I saw the numbers we were doing on that run, I couldn’t believe it. It’s unreal, and it does put a smile on my face! We’re clearly in a good spot for tomorrow, but this place can throw anything at you. We just have to stay focussed.” 

Felix becomes only the second Swedish driver in history to top an Indianapolis 500 qualifying session, after Kenny Bräck in 2005.

Sunday’s second part of qualifying will feature a two-stage format, starting with a Top 12 session (featuring the fastest 12 drivers from Saturday) and culminating in the Firestone Fast Six pole position shootout.