Alexander Rossi drove a determined race at the Alabama Indy Grand Prix, held at Barber Motorsport Park, climbing from a challenging 15th starting position to finish inside the Top 10 in eighth place. Racing on October 1st, Rossi executed an alternate tire strategy that showcased his skill and experience, although he expressed some disappointment with the overall weekend performance. Despite the strong recovery and strategic choices, the result fell short of his personal goals in this critical 2025 IndyCar season opener.
Rossi’s decision to begin the race on soft tires and use the same compound for two stints before switching to the harder primary tires late in the race was meant to maximize grip and pace while preserving tire longevity. However, like many drivers, he struggled to find the proper balance on the hard tires during the final laps. The grip issues limited his ability to push beyond eighth, but his experience allowed him to maintain a competitive position despite pressure from rivals.
Throughout the race, Rossi fended off challenges from up-and-coming driver Nolan Siegel in ninth and veteran Josef Newgarden in tenth. With about 20 laps remaining, Siegel closed the gap, attempting to overtake, but Rossi’s defensive driving kept both contenders behind. Speaking with FOX Sports after the race, Rossi explained how building a gap during his stints on softer tires helped him maintain enough cushion to resist late attacks, saying,
The alternate strategy gave me an advantage early on, which was critical to holding position when the hard tires lost grip.
Reflecting on his overall performance at Alabama and earlier races this season during an appearance on the Pit Pass Indy podcast, Rossi rated his start to 2025 as a “B minus,” highlighting room for improvement despite some promising outings. He noted that finishing 10th at St. Pete after starting 20th, a ninth-place finish at Thermal Club from inside the top six, and a tougher weekend at Long Beach proved the season is demanding. Rossi’s mixture of strategy, experience, and relentless defense underscores his commitment, even if results have not consistently met expectations.
This race at Alabama signals a pivotal moment for Alexander Rossi as he looks to translate his impressive comebacks into podium finishes. The gritty driving and strategic tire choice demonstrate his potential, but also expose the challenges of tire management on circuits where grip diminishes quickly. As the 2025 IndyCar season unfolds, Rossi’s resilience and tactical decisions will be vital in overcoming obstacles, aiming for stronger finishes that align with both his and Ed Carpenter Racing’s ambitions.
