Felix Rosenqvist’s Historic Indy 500 Triumph Takes Form in Sterling Silver

When the velvet covering was lifted at sculptor William Behrends’ studio, Felix Rosenqvist saw a clay likeness of the driver who had just secured one of the most dramatic victories in Indianapolis 500 history.

More than two months after winning the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, 2026, Rosenqvist is beginning to appreciate the scale of a race decided by just 0.0233 seconds over David Malukas. Starting fourth, leading 25 of 200 laps and averaging 162.021 mph through a record 70 lead changes, Rosenqvist captured the largest winner’s purse in race history at $4.34 million in his eighth Indy 500 start.

Driving for Meyer Shank Racing as he prepares to return to Arrow McLaren for 2027, Rosenqvist became the 77th different winner in race history, Honda’s 17th Indy 500 champion and Sweden’s third winner after Kenny Bräck in 1999 and Marcus Ericsson in 2022.

Seeing the sculpture for the first time

Felix Rosenqvist

Photo by: Scott LePage / Borg Warner

Rosenqvist described the reveal as an intensely emotional moment. He noted that Behrends had captured his asymmetrical ears with impressive accuracy, an early sign of a careful likeness. Having a portrait created a more personal connection to the victory than simply attaching an image to the trophy.

The visit offered the 34-year-old an unusually reflective pause after a demanding 2026 IndyCar season. Behrends studied architecture at NC State and earned his MFA at the University of North Carolina before sculpting likenesses of figures including Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Henry Ford II. He has created every Indianapolis 500 winner’s portrait since Arie Luyendyk in 1990, making Rosenqvist his 37th sterling-silver image for the trophy.

Behrends said he spent roughly two weeks working from photographs taken the morning after the race, when Rosenqvist had managed only about 90 minutes of sleep. The limited reference material made the reveal nerve-wracking. “I was nervous when I unveiled it. But as it turns out, he liked it,” Behrends said.

Felix Rosenqvist

Photo by: Scott LePage / Borg Warner

While walking through the studio, Rosenqvist paused to examine portraits of other drivers, including 2025 Indianapolis 500 winner Alex Palou. Palou started from pole and led 59 laps in the 2026 race while extending his streak of completing every lap in his career with Chip Ganassi Racing.

Among the works, a portrait of fellow Swede Marcus Ericsson immediately caught Rosenqvist’s attention.

Rosenqvist said he went directly to Ericsson’s display, where Behrends keeps roughly 10 portraits and numerous smaller versions. He sent Ericsson a voice message after attempting an impression of him.

He also checked Tony Kanaan’s portrait to see whether the nose had been captured correctly. Rosenqvist said Alex Rossi’s sculpture appeared to be smiling—an expression he initially doubted was genuine but later realized was real.

For Rosenqvist, moving among the portraits was especially enjoyable because each one represented another driver with whom he had developed a connection through racing.

Felix Rosenqvist

Photo by: Scott LePage / Borg Warner

Rosenqvist will become the 113th driver portrait added to the Borg-Warner Trophy, a total that includes co-winners in 1924 and 1941. Standing 5 feet, 4 ¾ inches tall and weighing 110 pounds, the Art Deco sculpture was commissioned in 1935 and unveiled in 1936 with 24 portraits. Driver portraits are made of sterling silver, with one exception: Tony Hulman, who purchased the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1945 and is represented by a 24-karat gold head. Tom Sneva is the only driver shown wearing glasses. The Unser family accounts for nine portraits—Bobby in 1968, 1975 and 1981; Al in 1970, 1971, 1978 and 1987; and Al Jr. in 1992 and 1994. The 2033 winner will occupy the final available position on the current base, after which the 2034 winner will likely begin a larger replacement base.

His portrait will also make Rosenqvist the first Indianapolis 500 champion depicted on the trophy with full facial hair. Only six earlier winners were shown with mustaches: Jules Goux (1913), René Thomas (1914), Gaston Chevrolet (1920), Wilbur Shaw (1937, 1939 and 1940), Mauri Rose (1941, 1947 and 1948) and Bobby Rahal (1986).

The respite following a demanding 2026 IndyCar schedule has allowed Rosenqvist to absorb the significance of his victory in a more considered way.

Rosenqvist said the victory feels increasingly real now that the season has ended. Because racing continues as normal, he explained, a champion joins peers such as Hélio Castroneves, Marcus Ericsson and Josef Newgarden without dramatically changing daily life. He also said he deliberately set some of the celebration aside so he could continue working and preserve the excitement. “Now it’s definitely becoming more real,” he said.

Trips to Sweden in December and additional Borg-Warner Trophy activities are reinforcing the experience. Rosenqvist said he has not yet watched the complete race again, although replays of the finish continue to surface. “A few days after the race, I hardly believed I had won it,” he said. “Now it is slowly settling in.”

Savoring every part of the moment

Felix Rosenqvist

Photo by: Scott LePage / BorgWarner

Reflecting on the whirlwind of celebrations, Rosenqvist stressed the importance of treating the experience as part of racing history rather than another obligation.

Rosenqvist said the key was to enjoy the celebrations rather than treat them as work. He encouraged himself to engage with the people connected to the event, learn about its traditions and reflect on the drivers who had stood at the finish line before him. He noted that the race is filled with stories and customs worth absorbing while the moment lasts, because life moves quickly and the next obligation is never far away.

He described having his likeness sculpted and returning to Sweden—particularly his hometown—to celebrate as especially powerful experiences. Rosenqvist expressed pride in representing both his country and Meyer Shank Racing, which he said played a major role in the victory. He also acknowledged that future visits to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway may not bring the results he wants, making this occasion all the more meaningful.

For Behrends, who watched the finish from a position near Turn 4, capturing Rosenqvist’s likeness carried added significance.

“I’ve been going to the race every year since 1989,” Behrends said. He told Rosenqvist that the 2026 finish was “by far the most exciting” he had ever witnessed, even though attending annually has taught him to expect drama with 10 or 20 laps remaining. “It was off the charts this year,” he said.

Behrends’ viewing position near Turn 4 provided sightlines to the pylon board, the Yard of Bricks and the pit entrance. Rosenqvist’s field entered without appearing to have the lead, so Behrends did not yet know the winner. “The way he won it is just wow,” Behrends said. “That’s one for the ages.”

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