IndyCar: Felix Rosenqvist to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019

Felix Rosenqvist is set to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing as the replacement for Ed Jones in the 2019 IndyCar season, which is set to be his rookie season in the sport.

After competing full-time in Formula E in each of the last two seasons, Felix Rosenqvist will not return to the sport as a full-time driver in the 2018-2019 season. Instead, he is set to make his IndyCar debut in the 2019 season.

The 26-year-old Swede is set to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 IndyCar season as a teammate to five-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon and as the replacement for Ed Jones, who spent only the 2018 season driving the #10 Honda for the team. Jones finished the season in 13th place in the championship standings.

Rosenqvist is set to be sponsored by longtime Chip Ganassi Racing sponsor NTT Data, as they and the team agreed to a new multi-year deal to continue to be the primary sponsor of the #10 Honda.

Here is what Rosenqvist had to say about getting the opportunity to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 season, according to Chip Ganassi Racing.

"“To say I’m thrilled or excited to be making this step in my career would be an understatement. Coming to INDYCAR and driving for Chip is just a dream come true. I’ve followed the team for as long as I can remember, and it’s the kind of team and owner any driver would want to race for. Scott has had another tremendous season with three wins and a fifth title, so you absolutely couldn’t ask for anything more in a teammate. I can’t wait to start contributing to the team and getting to spend more time with everyone at NTT DATA.”"

Here is what Chip Ganassi Racing team owner Chip Ganassi had to say about Rosenqvist driving for the team in the 2019 season, according to Chip Ganassi Racing.

"“Felix has become familiar with our team and has worked in our system a little bit after coming over to test with us on a few occasions. Our management and engineering groups, along with the entire team, were impressed by his ability. The time was right to get him in the No. 10 car and I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that we are confident about what he can do behind the wheel next season.“In addition, we are extremely proud to announce that NTT Data has renewed with us as part of a multi-year deal. They have been a fantastic partner of the team and big advocates for the sport for a number of years and we are pleased to see it move into the future.”"

Here is what NTT Data Services chairman John McCain had to say about the company’s sponsorship of Chip Ganassi Racing and their addition of Rosenqvist for the 2019 season, according to Chip Ganassi Racing.

"“Together, NTT Data and Chip Ganassi Racing have proven to be a championship team, and we are proud to continue our longstanding partnership. IndyCar is the pinnacle of racing, and with Felix and Scott behind the wheel, the Ganassi team will continue to the set the standard for peak performance.”"

While Rosenqvist has never driven in an IndyCar race, he did drive in Indy Lights in the 2016 season, recording three victories, four top five finishes and eight top 10 finishes in 10 races in the process, and he did test an IndyCar for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2016 and 2017. In fact, Dixon’s race engineer Chris Simmons described his test for the team at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course last year as “flawless”.