Alexander Rossi joins Ed Carpenter Racing for Indy 500
- Alexander Rossi has joined Ed Carpenter Racing, replacing Rinus VeeKay, who was not retained after five seasons.
- Rossi, a former Indy 500 winner, will team up with Christian Rasmussen in a two-car lineup as Carpenter focuses solely on the Indy 500.
- This move comes after Rossi's inconsistent performance with Arrow McLaren, and he is optimistic about contributing to ECR's future success.
On Wednesday, Alexander Rossi was announced as the newest driver for Ed Carpenter Racing, marking his third team in four years. Rossi, a former Indianapolis 500 winner, will join Christian Rasmussen in a two-car lineup. This change comes after Ed Carpenter decided to scale back his racing efforts, opting to participate only in the Indy 500 next year. Rossi replaces Rinus VeeKay, whose contract was not renewed after five seasons with the team. Rossi's move to ECR follows a challenging period with Arrow McLaren, where he struggled to find consistency and secured only two podium finishes in 34 races. His departure from McLaren was confirmed in June, leading him to seek a fresh start. The new driver deals at ECR are multi-year contracts, and the announcement coincided with Rossi's 33rd birthday, adding a personal milestone to the professional transition. Ed Carpenter expressed excitement about the new lineup, emphasizing the team's commitment to excellence and future ambitions. He acknowledged the contributions of VeeKay and expressed confidence in his future endeavors. The team aims to regain its competitive edge at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where it has historically performed well, despite not contending for the overall IndyCar title. Rossi expressed gratitude for the opportunity, highlighting the potential he sees in ECR and the power of Chevrolet as key factors in his decision. He is eager to contribute to the team's success and looks forward to the upcoming season, hoping to leverage his experience to achieve better results at the prestigious Indy 500.