Now that the season is done, teams on the grid have already begun to alter or finalize their lineups to be optimally prepared for the upcoming season. These are the latest IndyCar 2025 Off-Season Updates.
Meyer Shank’s Decisions
Meyer Shank Racing got off to a quick start this silly season by already confirming their 2025 driver lineup.
Rosenqvist re-signs
It started on Sept. 16 with an announcement that Felix Rosenqvist and Meyer Shank Racing have agreed to extend their partnership, ensuring the Swedish driver remains with the team for multiple years beyond 2025.
The 32-year-old driver sought a fresh opportunity with MSR this season after departing from the Papaya of Arrow McLaren, where he competed from 2021 to 2023. The new environment proved to be beneficial not only to Rosenqvist but also to the team. He finished 12th in the standings this season in the No. 60 with two top-five and six top-10 finishes, and an NTT P1 Award at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.
From a team standpoint, they had a 30-40 percent gain in performance this year. Between the two cars, they were in the top six in qualifying 15 times; compared to last year it was zero.
The security and stability of knowing he’ll be in the No. 60 for years to come will help continue his steps forward to being able to fight at the front and get back into the win column.
Marcus Armstrong joins
A few days later, on Sept. 19, it was announced that Marcus Armstrong would partner with Rosenqvist to pilot the No. 66 alongside Rosenqvist.
Armstrong won Rookie of the Year in 2023, only racing in road courses with five top-10 finishes out of the 12 for Chip Ganassi Racing. In 2024, he competed in all 17 races for them, earning four top-five finishes and his first podium in Detroit.
The 26-year-old’s ability to show improvement over two seasons has been impressive and he’s only going to get better with experience. Looking at his previous series he has definitely found some success. He previously drove three seasons competing in FIA Formula 2, earning four wins. Before F2 Armstrong competed in F3, won the 2017 Italian F4 Championship, and finished second in the ADAC F4.
If given the car it’s only a matter of time before he shows his ability to be at the front, and eventually fight for wins.
Old faces at Prema
The first official driver named to the inaugural Prema Racing season in IndyCar is Prema graduate Callum Ilott.
The 25-year-old Briton made his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut in 2021 with Juncos Hollinger Racing. Since then he’s made 38 start starts, including two top-five finishes.
Ilott competed in two Indy action this season, including the Indianapolis 500 where he finished 11th for Arrow McLaren. He primarily raced in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Team Jota, winning in Spa-Francorchamps’ Six-Hour race.
This is not Ilott’s first experience with the PREMA family. He joined the team for the first time in 2017, delivering six wins and 11 podium finishes in the Formula 3 European Championship.
PREMA Racing owner Rene Rosin said he’s delighted to welcome the Briton back for this new chapter of the teams’ history,
“We had a great time working with him in Formula 3, and we always kept an eye on him after that. He proved to be a great fit for us in the past, and I think he will feel like picking up something he had left off,” he said. “In addition, his prior INDYCAR experience will be an invaluable asset. Now that the opportunity to get back together has come, we are determined to make the most out of it.”
Not only is this an opportunity for him to be part of PREMA again, and be part of their first steps in the series and the U.S. but also it’s an opportunity for him to finally get a full-time contract in the series. The stability Ilott has now will allow him to display his skills, just like he has in every series he’s been a part of.
Veekay says goodbye
Ed Carpenter Racing has announced the conclusion of its partnership with Rinus VeeKay after five seasons.
https://twitter.com/rinusveekay/status/1838256164892483805
VeeKay made his debut with ECR in 2020. He achieving four podium, two poles, and one victory during his tenure with the team. Throughout five seasons, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, finishing 14th, 12th, 12th, 14th, and 13th in the championship standings. He concluded the 2024 season as the leader in laps completed and secured five top-10 finishes in the final eight races.
The decision might have come as a surprise to VeeKay as there were conversations for a re-sign earlier this season. With his consistency, he can get a seat elsewhere, but the series’ competitiveness ensures nothing is promised
What’s Next?
The next few months will continue to be busy as teams make more decisions. A couple seats up for grabs and questions and rumors as to who will be on the continue to heat up. Where will Rossi go? Will Logan Sargeant get a look? Will we see another F1 driver?
LWOS will continue to follow and update as the off-season continues.
