David Malukas explains why 0.023-second Indy 500 loss is so heartbreaking

David Malukas admitted losing the Indianapolis 500 by just 0.023 seconds was even more painful because he believes the race was his to lose before Felix Rosenqvist’s dramatic late move.

The 24-year-old came within touching distance of the biggest win of his career, only for Rosenqvist to edge ahead on the final dash to the line in what became the closest finish in Indy 500 history.

Although Malukas kept his composure after stepping out of the car, his post-race comments made clear just how much the defeat stung, especially after leading so late at the Brickyard.

David Malukas felt the Indy 500 ‘was ours to win’

Malukas said he felt confident in his pace during the closing stages and struggled to pinpoint anything he could have done differently in those final laps.

“I just don’t know what else we could have done… We were driving 150% that whole time. We had the fastest car out there. It was ours to win.”

His comments reflected a broader feeling within the team, who had shown strong pace throughout the Month of May and spent much of the race near the front.

Malukas had started from the front row and was one of the standout performers across the entire Indianapolis 500 weekend.

Felix Rosenqvist edged Malukas in historic Indy 500 finish

Despite Malukas holding the lead late on, Rosenqvist managed to find a way past during the final sprint to the chequered flag, claiming his first Indianapolis 500 victory.

The margin of 0.023 seconds broke the record for the closest finish in race history, surpassing the famous 1992 duel between Al Unser Jr. and Scott Goodyear.

For Malukas, the narrow defeat only added to the heartbreak of missing out on what would have been a career-defining win.

Even so, the runner-up finish was one of the strongest performances of his IndyCar career and further cemented his reputation as one of the series’ top oval racers.

But after coming so close and feeling that the win was within reach, Malukas could only focus on what had slipped away in those final moments.

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