Felix Rosenqvist and Colton Herta faced difficult moments during the IndyCar qualifying session at Milwaukee on August 23. While Herta lost control and slid through Turn 3 on the oval track, Rosenqvist crashed heavily into the barrier at Turn 4, damaging the rear of his Meyer Shank Racing car. Both incidents occurred as the drivers were attempting to secure better starting positions in the competitive qualifying event.
The format required drivers to complete two push laps individually, with the pole position awarded to the competitor posting the highest average speed. The running order proceeded from the lowest to highest in the standings, placing both Rosenqvist and Herta in challenging situations as they tried to find their rhythm on the Milwaukee circuit.
Reactions from Commentators on Herta’s Dramatic Slide
Commentators watching Herta’s near loss of control expressed shock at his ability to narrowly avoid the wall. They described the scene vividly during the live broadcast:
“Big slide, huge slide. Oh my goodness, wow!! What a save that was from Colton Herta. I thought for sure he was going to be in the walls, James, that was unbelievable. Incredible car control, working the steering, working the throttle, hear him, just trying to keep it going.” —Commentator
They revisited the clip later, emphasizing Herta’s skill based on previous similar incidents at Indy GP:
“Let’s see it again guys. I mean this guy did it in Indy GP a few years ago, and Oh my word, look at that, unreal!! Look at that.” —Commentator
Felix Rosenqvist’s Severe Impact at Turn 4
In contrast to Herta’s close call, Felix Rosenqvist’s outing ended with a serious impact at Turn 4, which left his #60 Meyer Shank Racing car significantly damaged. The collision into the barriers highlighted the fine margins drivers face during high-speed qualifying on oval circuits. While details about Rosenqvist’s condition or car repairs were not provided immediately, the crash underscored the risks inherent in IndyCar qualifying sessions.
Colton Herta Reflects on Qualifying Difficulties
Following the session, Colton Herta shared his thoughts during a pit lane interview, admitting frustration with his performance. He explained the issues he encountered with track grip and setup adjustments, noting his struggle to find stability after switching to a teammate’s racing line in qualifying.
“I don’t think I saved that. So yeah, that’s frustrating, just, looks like it was too loose from the beginning, and as soon as we touched that lower pavement right there, the lower patch, just kind of goes so, I don’t know, it’s really frustrating for me. We weren’t really there in practice, the patch, you know my teammate Marcus is able to use, and I think he had a better line than me in practice. So, I went to his line for qualifying.”
Herta’s 2025 season has been challenging so far, as he currently sits eighth in the drivers’ championship standings despite having earned five top-five and eight top-ten finishes in 15 rounds. The difficulties at Milwaukee add to a campaign that has yet to meet his expectations.
After qualifying in 24th position, Herta is set to start the 250-lap Milwaukee race from the 12th row, positioned alongside PREMA driver Callum Ilott. How the race unfolds will be critical for Herta as he seeks to rebound and improve his standing in the championship.
