As the 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season winds toward its final stretch, Alexander Rossi finds himself balancing ambition with reality. In his first full season with Ed Carpenter Racing, the former Indy 500 champion is clear-eyed and candid — about performance, pressure, and what’s still to come.
“At this point, points are irrelevant. We want answers,” Rossi said during a recent media session. His focus is now firmly on development and preparation for the future. With four races left — two ovals and two road courses — Rossi views the season’s end not as a wind-down, but as a testing ground for 2026.
A Season of Growing Pains
Despite joining a new team, Rossi says performance exceeded expectations early on. “From a performance standpoint, it’s honestly higher than what I was expecting.” Still, he admits: “The execution on race day has been lacking.”
Mechanical failures, inconsistent qualifying, and an evolving technical package (including the hybrid unit) have presented challenges. But for Rossi, that’s part of the process.
“The hardest thing to fix is true performance — and that hasn’t been our biggest issue.”
The Challenge of Change
Rossi points to the shift in driving philosophy required with INDYCAR’s new hybrid era. The car, now significantly heavier, rewards precision over aggression — a style that plays perfectly into Alex Palou’s hands.
“Alex is incredibly precise. That’s the current way of being fast in INDYCAR… he’s reset the benchmark.”
Rossi acknowledges the challenge, but also the inevitability of adaptation: “Teams will learn. Drivers will learn. That gap will close.”
Coming Home to Laguna Seca
This weekend, Rossi returns to his home track, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca — now sponsored by his car’s own backer, Java House.
“It’s kind of a dream scenario,” he smiled. “A home race, a home crowd, and a sponsor that believes in this series.”
It’s a meaningful place: the California native’s love of racing was born at this very venue during childhood visits with his dad. Now, over a decade into his INDYCAR career, he hopes to deliver not just for himself, but for the team and fans watching.
“I have 100% confidence we’ll get a podium this year,” he added — a streak he’s held every year since his debut.
Looking Ahead
Rossi knows the work isn’t over. “Some of the easier fixes are coming soon. The harder ones — those are 2026 problems.”
With eyes on the future but commitment to the present, he’s determined to finish strong.
“Every time you’re in a race car, it’s a chance to prove yourself. That doesn’t change.”
written by Philipp Kraus / Media Credit: Penske Entertainment
