Rosenqvist lapped his Honda-powered MSR machine in 1m00.339s, virtually half a second faster than his rivals after his low season change from Arrow McLaren.
The remainder of the highest 10 had been lined by lower than three tenths, which moved fourth-fastest driver Will Energy of Penske to state that “Felix is on one other planet on the market”.
“Kinda stunned,” mentioned Rosenqvist. “We had been actually good out of the gates, actually assured, which I’ve been since pre-season testing. And on the reds we simply took one other step.
“The automobile was simply actually good. It’s been very nice to come back to Meyer Shank Racing, it’s been a very super-easy transition. At McLaren it was a giant studying curve with the automobile, however it’s been the other right here, it’s clicked since Day 1. It’s a smaller group, so it’s simpler to stand up to hurry.
“A very clean begin for us, we had been a bit not sure the place we’d stack up after we began pushing, we thought we’d be fast however not that far forward.
“I believe on the road tracks we’ll be good. I really feel extra assured on these form of tracks.”
Behind McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, Marcus Armstrong was the quickest of the 5 Chip Ganassi Racing drivers, simply 0.007s off the second spot.
“The automobile began off in a troublesome spot,” mentioned Armstrong, who was third quickest. “And, to be truthful, it didn’t really really feel that good on the finish. However we’re nonetheless up there, so what extra can I ask for?”
Energy, who was fourth quickest, mentioned: “Felix is on one other planet on the market, however everybody else is actually shut. I assumed he’d do very nicely in that atmosphere, he’s very fast. No shock for me.
“Automobile feels good, every part feels calm and which means I’ve acquired one thing in reserve.
“I’m very motivated, I’m actually pissed off about going winless final 12 months, I’m placing quite a lot of emphasis on that. It’s anticipated to carry out at this group, I’ve had my head down, I’m occupied with nothing else than competing at a really excessive stage this season.”
