Alexander Rossi on Wednesday was introduced as the latest driver at Ed Carpenter Racing, which would be the third staff in 4 years for the previous Indianapolis 500 winner.

Rossi, who received the one centesimal operating of the Indy 500 as a rookie in 2016, will be part of Christian Rasmussen within the two-car lineup. Carpenter, who had already scaled again to racing simply ovals, will solely run the Indy 500 subsequent 12 months in a 3rd ECR entry.

Rasmussen this previous season as a rookie was slotted to share the automotive with Carpenter, however the staff proprietor in the end backed out of the ultimate three races of the 12 months. Rasmussen completed the 12 months within the automotive and saved it within the Leaders Circle program, which provides the highest 22 groups within the standings a financial bonus that ECR desperately wanted.

For his efforts, Rasmussen was given a contract extension and a full-time seat alongside Rossi, who has been searching for a brand new job since June when Arrow McLaren mentioned it was not resigning him after two seasons. The ECR driver offers have been described as multi-year and introduced Wednesday, which was additionally Rossi’s thirty third birthday.

Rossi will change Rinus VeeKay, who mentioned Monday on social media his contract was not renewed after 5 seasons. Rossi will drive the No. 20 Chevrolet and Rasmussen the No. 21.

“It’s an thrilling day to not solely welcome Alex to the staff, however to increase our relationship with Christian,” Carpenter mentioned. “We’re very enthusiastic about our lineup, and different partnership bulletins that will probably be forthcoming.

“I additionally wish to thank Rinus for his 5 years with the staff. It’s at all times laborious to say goodbye to a teammate and a buddy, however I’m assured that Rinus’ profession will proceed to blossom. As we sit up for 2025 and past, I’m absolutely targeted on getting ECR again to new heights, successful races and contending for championships.”

That is all Rossi was searching for after he left Andretti World, the staff that took him in after Rossi left System 1, after the 2022 season. Rossi was in want of a recent begin and Arrow McLaren supplied one, however he by no means discovered any consistency and will probably be changed subsequent 12 months by Christian Lundgaard.

Rossi scored simply two podiums in 34 races with McLaren. His final victory was in 2022 when he nonetheless drove for Andretti.

Though ECR doesn’t discipline vehicles that contend for the IndyCar title, the staff is routinely among the many strongest annually at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Rossi in 2016 was the primary American rookie to win the Indy 500 since 1928.

“I am honored that Ed and the whole ECR possession group acknowledge the worth I can convey to the staff,” Rossi mentioned. “Their dedication to excellence, together with the ability of Chevrolet and the bold plans they’ve for the longer term, made this chance not possible to move up. I am desperate to get began and contribute to the staff’s continued success.”