The Month of May has become even more memorable for Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing. He and his wife, Emille, welcomed their first child into the world on May 4th, a baby girl named Stella.
Rosenqvist’s New Perspective
Rosenqvist said that everything he was warned about regarding having a baby has been easier than expected. He added that it is a memory he will take with him forever. Rosenqvist said that he has probably completely put some Indy 500s behind him for different reasons, but this one will definitely stay with him forever.
Rosenqvist is no stranger to the Indy 500, as this will be his eighth time running the race. He says getting into his car is going to feel a lot different now that he’s a first time dad.
“Everything else kind of pales in comparison for sure,” Rosenqvist said. “Even when I was there for the birth, it’s just triggering emotions that you don’t know he had, and it’s just unbelievable, to be honest. It definitely gives you perspective in life.”
The Dad’s Club
Rosenqvist joins the group of dads driving in the Indy 500.
“It’s weird. There’s like this club that you can only access once you have a child, right? You talk about things you haven’t talked to these guys about before, like diapers and whatnot. But it’s cool. Everyone’s been very supportive,” Rosenqvist said.
Helio Castroneves, Rosenqvist’s teammate and team owner, said, “I said, ‘Look, the first nine months, forget about it. You don’t even exist. But after that, my man, you’re going to fall in love. You’re just going to think like that’s it. This is the only woman in my life,’”
Castroneves added: “It is the best feeling in the world. And we were exchanging a little bit of feelings. It’s difficult to describe. It’s not like when you win a race. It’s very indescribable feeling, but it’s the best feeling.”
Reactions from Fellow Drivers
Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin said with a smile, “I couldn’t imagine having a baby around May. I just couldn’t, so props to him. We’re trying to time it out a little bit better than that.”
ECR’s Alexander Rossi said, “You actually kind of go quicker because you’re no longer single track focused on your profession. Your world is opened up overnight. So he loved it and is loving it, and was like the thing that surprised me the most was like how strong you feel on no sleep.”
It would be even better if Rosenqvist won his first Indy 500 this year.