As the 2024 IndyCar season closes, inquiries regarding future placements of drivers for next season start to ramp up.
Teams are finalizing their driver line-ups for the upcoming months, leaving only 15 of the 27 spots secured. This leaves plenty of opportunities for new signings and sets the stage for a hectic 2025 IndyCar silly season.
Below is an overview of some of the notable rumors and transactions that may occur during this off-season.
Chip Ganassi downsizes
Chip Ganassi in 2023 announced that they would increase their IndyCar Series entries to five full-time positions in 2024 The graduation of its development driver, Kyffin Simpson who would be driving alongside Marcus Armstrong, Scott Dixon, Linus Lundqvist, and Alex Palou contributed to the addition.
And after just one season the team is downsizing by two spots. So, who’s safe and who’s on the chopping block?
Dixon and Palou, each with six and two championship titles respectively, have secured their spots, leaving No. 8 open for someone else. Simpson is rumored to take over the final spot despite sitting in 21st place, last among the five drivers. This suggests that Lundqvist and Armstrong will see the door at the end of the year, joining the fight for a spot on next year’s grid. Both have seen success this season with a couple of podium finishes. Lundqvist was named Rookie of the Year title with a race to go and currently sits 16th in the standings, just one spot behind Armstrong.
Hear from ROTY @linushflundqvist ☺️#BeTheOne pic.twitter.com/hKbyZIbuYI
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) September 2, 2024
Prema joins
Prema Racing, known for its success in Formula 2 and Formula 3, is finally moving across the pond to IndyCar. With that, they are currently on the hunt for two drivers to pilot their new Chevrolet-powered cars.
The Italian franchise welcomes both IndyCar drivers and a new world of drivers. Some with experience in America, and some with zero. And, given how well some Prema graduates like Armstrong, Felix Rosenqvist of Meyer Shank Racing, and part-time driver Callum Ilott, who will also be looking for a seat, have done in IndyCar, there might be hope for some European-based talent taking a spot.
Prema boss Rene Rosin expressed his hopes for the two-car operation in an interview with The Race.
“Our ideal line-up would be made of an experienced driver and a quick rookie. Of course, we will also have to take into consideration the drivers’ market and make the best possible choice for the Team.”
Former F1 driver Logan Sargeant, dropped by Williams mid-season, is a top rookie contender after racing with Prema in Formula 3 in Europe in 2020.
Rosin has confirmed that he’s had talks with the American native.
Another driver catching their attention is Alexander Rossi, who’s set to part ways with Arrow McLaren after this season. The presence and experience of a veteran like Rossi in IndyCar could be advantageous for the team in its initial phases. As Rosin points out, a move like this ‘will facilitate a quicker learning curve and help close the gap with competing teams.’
Proudly introducing our numbers for the upcoming INDYCAR season! 🤩
Keep an eye on track for the #83 and #90 in 2025! 👀🫶#INDYCAR #PREMARacing pic.twitter.com/svfpMxpBSV
— PREMA (@PREMA_Team) September 11, 2024
Seats open everywhere
Five teams aside from Prema are still looking to fill out either a spot or spots for their lineup. Here is a current list of the vacancies and the rumored drivers for the 2025 IndyCar silly season.
The three-car, Honda-powered operation Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing is looking for two drivers to accompany Graham Rahal. The drivers rumored for the spot are Juri Vips, Rossi, Theo Pouchaire, and Zane Maloney.
Dale Coyne Racing is looking for a new lineup to fill out the No. 18 car and No. 51 car. Kathrine Legge, Toby Sowery, Jack Harvey, and Hunter McElera are all being looked at for a spot.
Ed Carpenter Racing may retain both Christian Rasmussen and Rinus Veekay, although no official announcements have been made yet. Should they not be re-signed, potential candidates for the positions include Rossi, Josh Pierson, and Conor Daly.
Juncos Hollinger Racing is expected to retain Romain Grosjean for the 2025 season, although this has yet to be officially confirmed. Regarding the second seat, the team has mentioned that they have engaged in discussions with up to 15 different drivers.
One of the most coveted open seats on the grid in 2025 is the No. 66 Meyer Shank. A decision on who will drive alongside Rosenqvist will be made by the team by October. The rumored drivers are Armstrong, Lundqvist, Rossi, Louis Foster and Veekay.
