Alexander Rossi has officially joined Ed Carpenter Racing as their newest driver, marking his third team in four years following his previous success as a winner of the Indianapolis 500. This move comes after Rossi’s departure from Arrow McLaren mid-year, leaving him in search of a new racing opportunity. The 33-year-old Rossi is set to take the wheel of the No. 20 Chevrolet, while he will be joined by Christian Rasmussen in the two-car lineup, with Carpenter scaling back to focus solely on ovals and the Indy 500 next season.
Christian Rasmussen had a commendable rookie season with Ed Carpenter Racing, securing a contract extension and a full-time seat alongside Rossi for the upcoming races. In a bittersweet moment, Rossi will be replacing Rinus VeeKay, who confirmed on social media that his contract was not renewed after five seasons with the team. Despite ECR not historically contending for the IndyCar title, they have consistently been a force to reckon with at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Expressing his enthusiasm for this new chapter, Rossi mentioned his excitement to contribute to ECR’s future successes while acknowledging the team’s dedication to excellence and their ambitious plans. Ed Carpenter, the team owner, also conveyed his gratitude to Rinus for his contributions over the years and emphasized his commitment to elevating ECR’s performance and competitiveness in the upcoming seasons. This announcement, made on Rossi’s 33rd birthday, signifies a fresh start for the talented driver within the IndyCar circuit.
As Rossi embarks on this new journey with Ed Carpenter Racing, he aims to rediscover the winning form that highlighted his early success in the sport. With multi-year deals in place for Rossi and Rasmussen, the team looks ahead to further partnership announcements and a promising future on the racetrack. The addition of Rossi to ECR’s roster sets the stage for an exciting 2025 season and beyond, with aspirations of securing victories and contending for championships on the IndyCar circuit.
