Felix Rosenqvist claims record $4.34m prize for Indianapolis 500 win

Swedish driver Felix Rosenqvist has earned a record $4.34m payout after securing his maiden Indianapolis 500 victory with the closest finish in the race’s history.

The veteran racer overtook David Malukas in the closing yards of Sunday’s event at the iconic Brickyard.

He crossed the famous yard of bricks just 0.0233 seconds ahead of his rival to secure the historic win.

Organisers announced on Monday that the total race purse had also reached an unprecedented $30.9m.

Historic finish yields unprecedented rewards

The staggering total prize fund represents an increase of nearly $11m from the previous all-time high set last year.

Álex Palou, the 2023 champion, collected over $500,000 less than the new benchmark established by the triumphant Swede.

Average driver payouts across the starting grid have nearly doubled to $936,500.

The previous record for the closest finish in the 500-mile event stood for 32 years, dating back to Al Unser Jr’s 0.043-second triumph over Scott Goodyear in 1992.

Schumacher earns rookie honours

Second-placed Malukas was forced to settle for the runner-up spot on the 2.5-mile oval for a second consecutive year.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Doug Boles praised the event following a second consecutive grandstand sellout.

“Felix Rosenqvist added his name to the history books in stellar fashion, with the closest finish in Indy 500 history and now the largest purse,” Boles said.

Elsewhere in the field, Mick Schumacher was named the race’s Rookie of the Year.

The son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher collected a $50,000 bonus, taking his total earnings to $218,800.