After beginning nineteenth, Lundqvist was put into a novel three-stop technique that started on lap 7, switching off from the more durable main tyre and operating on the softer alternates for the rest of the 90-lap race.
By the technique and timing of cautions, the 25-year-old Swede was capable of cycle as much as the lead for 4 laps, showcasing sufficient tempo and poise to carry pole-sitter – and eventual race winner – Scott McLaughlin at bay.
Ultimately, Lundqvist claimed the third-place end in simply his sixth begin within the collection.
“I am extraordinarily proud of the rostrum,” Lundqvist stated. “It has been slightly bit tough for me, the primary couple of races and even struggled slightly bit this weekend.
“However the workforce did a tremendous job. I principally simply listened to no matter they informed me to do. They stated be affected person right here and you will get your award on the finish. We positively did.”
Linus Lundqvist, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda celebrates on the rostrum
Photograph by: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
The quirky technique allowed Lundqvist the prospect to assault on the finish fairly than be put right into a conservative scenario to avoid wasting gasoline, which allowed him to energy previous reigning champion team-mate Alex Palou within the remaining stint.
“I believe for the primary time ever I used to be not on the save gasoline technique,” stated Lundqvist, the 2022 Indy NXT champion.
“I used to be not the one being handed, which was good. Clearly, we had a little bit of every part in that race for us. We began clearly fairly far again, in nineteenth. To start with it was nearly principally saving gasoline as a lot as we are able to, see what we are able to do later within the race.
“The workforce saved telling me to hit your quantity, you will reap the reward on the finish. That positively occurred.
“After that second to final yellow, I believe it was [Santino] Ferrucci forward, then me. When he pitted, we had 4 or 5 laps [in the lead] that we went arduous and tried to stretch the sphere slightly bit. That form of made our race.
“We got here out with sticker reds, no gasoline saving. Got here out with a bunch of fellows that had 25 laps on their tyres, a bunch of gasoline saving to do.
“That was a enjoyable stint for me. When the blokes got here on the radio stated I used to be third, I could not consider it. On the identical time, I used to be passing folks like Palou. They’re normally excessive up, we won’t be doing too dangerous.”
Linus Lundqvist, Chip Ganassi Racing Honda
Photograph by: Josh Tons / Motorsport Images
Whereas Lundqvist was capable of march as much as third, a late warning arrange a restart with three laps to go, placing him proper on the rear wing of Will Power’s No. 12 Team Penske Chevrolet within the battle for second.
As soon as the restart commenced, although, Lundqvist had nothing extra left to maneuver ahead.
“For half a second, I believed I may give Will a run for his cash there into Flip 5,” Lundqvist stated. “However probably not.
“I believe these guys [pointing to Team Penske’s drivers] have been clearly the tempo of the sphere at present. I used to be capable of maintain off pretty simply from Palou. I believe he nonetheless had some gasoline saving or previous tyres.
“When the yellow got here out, I wasn’t too completely satisfied. I used to be happier with the hole that we had.”