The Indianapolis-based team has just officialised its driver lineup for the 2025 IndyCar season, following the announcement of a new sponsorship as well as the end of Rinus Veekay’s time with ECR, which had started back in 2020.
500 winner Alexander Rossi will replace him behind the wheel of car no. 20. The former Andretti and Arrow McLaren driver will bring his great experience coming from nine full seasons in the championship to the Chevrolet-powered team, and has signed a multi year deal with Ed Carpenter Racing.
This contract announcement comes on the birthday date of the former Formula 1 driver, who is turning 33 today. Rossi expressed his pleasure in the new deal with a statement, confirming his excitement in joining the team manned by Ed Carpenter:
“I’m honoured that Ed and the entire ECR ownership group recognize the value I can bring to the team. Their commitment to excellence, along with the power of Chevrolet and the ambitious plans they have for the future made this opportunity impossible to pass up. I’m eager to get started and contribute to the team’s continued success.”
2023 INDYNXT champion Christian Rasmussen has been reconfirmed following his positive rookie campaign in the past season. The Danish driver has signed a multi year deal as well and will undertake in 2025 his first ever complete series in IndyCar, having split driver duties for car no.21 with team owner Ed Carpenter and succeeding in bringing the challenger into the Leaders’ Circle.
Rasmussen was glad to comment on the announcement, thanking Carpenter and the whole team for the trust put in him and the support received during his first year in the sport:
“I’m incredibly excited to earn a full-time role with Ed Carpenter Racing. My rookie year in INDYCAR was full of firsts, and I can’t wait to bring everything I’ve learned into my second season. I’m extremely grateful for this opportunity and looking forward to team up with Alexander to push the team forward and fight towards the front of the grid more consistently.”
Ed Carpenter resume his team owner/driver double duties only for the 109th running of the 500, fielding a third car for the event. The very experienced driver, who was set to compete on all the ovals of the 2024 IndyCar season, but ultimately left the car in the last three rounds of Milwaukee and Nashville to Rasmussen in order to prepare him for his full campaign.
“It is an exciting day to not only welcome Alex to the team, but to extend our relationship with Christian. We are very excited about our lineup, and other partnership announcements that will be forthcoming. As excited as I am about these additions, I also want to thank Rinus for his five years with the team,” said Carpenter.
The team owner also had kind words for Rinus Veekay, who has parted ways with the team after a race win, four podiums and two poles, wishing all the best to the young Dutch talent:
“It is always hard to say goodbye to a teammate and a friend, but I am confident that Rinus’ career will continue to blossom. As we look ahead to 2025 and beyond, I am fully focused on getting ECR back to new heights, winning races and contending for championships,” he concluded.
