Felix Rosenqvist Wins the 2025 Indianapolis 500 in the Closest Finish in History with Last-Lap Overtake

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 delivered a finish that will be remembered for decades as Felix Rosenqvist produced a daring last-lap overtake to claim victory in the closest result in race history. The 34-year-old Swede crossed the iconic “yard of bricks” just 0.023 seconds ahead of David Malukas after a dramatic final straight that featured drafting battles, split-second decisions, and relentless pressure from multiple challengers. The win marked Rosenqvist’s second career IndyCar victory in his 120th start and his first triumph on an oval circuit, elevating an already emotional month that included the birth of his daughter, Stella, just 20 days earlier.

Rosenqvist admitted that becoming a father shifted his mindset going into the race. Instead of carrying the intense pressure of needing a breakthrough at Indianapolis after several near-misses, he felt a renewed sense of perspective. He had already secured what he described as the most meaningful personal achievement of the month, which helped him approach the race with a calmer outlook. That emotional balance proved significant in the closing laps, where composure and timing mattered as much as speed.

The race itself unfolded with intense unpredictability. Rosenqvist had previously shown strong qualifying consistency at Indianapolis, with five consecutive top-nine starts, but victory had repeatedly slipped away, including a pair of fourth-place finishes in recent years. On race day, those patterns initially seemed poised to continue. Late cautions and restarts reshuffled the field, and with just a handful of laps remaining, Rosenqvist found himself behind leaders David Malukas, Marcus Armstrong, and Pato O’Ward in a tightly packed group.

Rosenqvist Executes Final Lap Drafting Move To Clinch Historic Indy 500 Victory In Dramatic Finish

A critical moment arrived with seven laps remaining when a red flag interrupted the race. After the restart, Rosenqvist was overtaken and briefly appeared to be fading from contention as Malukas built a strong lead. At the same time, teammate Marcus Armstrong engaged in a wheel-to-wheel battle with Rosenqvist, forcing a tense internal team dynamic. Armstrong later explained that he had to lift off to avoid contact, acknowledging there was little alternative in the high-speed situation.

Felix Rosenqvist Wins the 2025 Indianapolis 500 in the Closest Finish in History with Last-Lap Overtake

With Armstrong cleared from his path, Rosenqvist regrouped and latched onto Malukas’ slipstream. He then executed a calculated move on the final lap, shifting to the outside line along the front straight. Using the aerodynamic tow, he carried momentum past Malukas just before the finish line, securing victory by the narrowest margin in Indianapolis 500 history. The move required precise timing, confidence in the high line, and full commitment through the final corners of the 2.5-mile oval.

The victory was particularly significant for Meyer Shank Racing, which earned its second Indianapolis 500 win. Team owner Helio Castroneves, a four-time Indy 500 winner as a driver, celebrated the result as a major milestone for the organization. Rosenqvist celebrated atop his car, pumping his fists before taking the traditional celebratory sip of milk and pouring the remainder over his head, marking a defining moment in his career.

David Malukas, who finished second, expressed disappointment after leading in the closing stages. He believed his car had the pace to win and described pushing at maximum intensity throughout the final laps. Despite improving to second in the championship standings, the result felt like a missed opportunity. He had taken control with just a few corners remaining, but could not defend against Rosenqvist’s final drafting surge.

Rosenqvist Breakthrough Victory Amid Late Chaos, Crashes And Dramatic Indy 500 Finish Storyline

Behind them, Scott McLaughlin and Pato O’Ward completed the top four, with Marcus Armstrong finishing fifth. O’Ward, a frequent podium contender at Indianapolis, once again came close but extended his streak of near-misses at the event. Armstrong’s role in the final laps proved pivotal, as his duel with Rosenqvist briefly altered the race’s trajectory before he yielded to avoid contact.

The race featured multiple interruptions, including crashes, two red flags, and a late-race incident involving Caio Collet that brought out another stoppage with fewer than ten laps remaining. Another late moment occurred when Mick Schumacher brushed the wall, setting up a final one-lap sprint that reshaped the outcome entirely.

Rosenqvist credited his improved mental approach for helping him execute under pressure. He explained that becoming a father reduced some of the emotional weight typically associated with chasing a major victory, allowing him to focus more clearly during critical moments. That mindset shift became a defining factor in his ability to make the decisive move when the opportunity arrived.

Championship leader Alex Palou led 59 laps and recorded the most passes in the field, but finished seventh after a difficult final phase of the race. A post-race technical inspection later resulted in a minor points penalty due to a non-intentional assembly error.

The 2025 Indianapolis 500 will be remembered not only for its record-breaking finish but also for the dramatic storylines surrounding it, from Rosenqvist’s personal transformation to Malukas’ heartbreak and the relentless unpredictability of oval racing at its highest level.