Alexander Rossi of Ed Carpenter Racing was among the 21 IndyCar drivers who tested at Iowa Speedway as teams prepared for the upcoming doubleheader weekend. The testing session, held 13 days before the Sukup IndyCar Race Weekend scheduled for July 11 to 13, was crucial in helping drivers and teams adapt to the unique characteristics of the 0.875-mile oval and the new race package. Rossi highlighted that the doubleheader format offers twice the opportunities to score points, making the test especially significant.
Rossi explained that the 2025 season brings a new set of technical specifications, including different power and downforce levels than the previous year. These changes require drivers and teams to gain a solid understanding of how the car will perform, not only during qualifying but also throughout the races.
“This test is important. It is a doubleheader weekend, so double points. It’s a whole new package this year from last year, so it is a different power level, different downforce level, so trying to get an understanding of what that’s gonna do, not only in the qualifying but in the races, is a big priority for everyone”.
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar driver
The weather added complexity to the efforts, with warm, sunny, and windy conditions challenging drivers. Rossi described the day as productive once the track dried, allowing teams to gather valuable information that can be directly applied during the race weekend.
“It was a really representative day once the track got everything dried. It has been warm, sunny, and pretty windy, so not easy conditions… everything we can learn today, we can apply to the race weekend, so I think that is a huge positive,” he concluded.
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar driver
Currently, Rossi sits 13th in the championship standings with 161 points as the season progresses toward this key mid-summer event.
Rossi Reflects on Verstappen’s Controversial Moment at the Spanish Grand Prix
Besides his IndyCar insights, Alexander Rossi also commented on a notable incident during the Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix involving drivers Max Verstappen of Red Bull and George Russell of Mercedes. After being instructed to yield fourth place after an off-track mistake at Turn 1, Verstappen initially complied but then quickly re-engaged, leading to contact with Russell’s car. This move drew significant attention with some viewers suspecting it was intentional.
Rossi, who previously competed in Formula 1 with Marussia, shared his perspective on his podcast
“Off Track with Hinch and Rossi,”
suggesting that Verstappen’s reaction might have been an unconscious reflex influenced by his experience in sim racing.
“I do wonder how much of that was subconscious, something he does in iRacing, and it just leaked out into real life. Because we know how much time he spends on the sim. I can very easily see him… like you get penalties in iRacing too,” said Rossi.
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar driver
He added that the incident may have been a snap decision triggered by frustration, indicating that sim habits could have influenced Verstappen’s immediate reaction on track.
“I could very easily see him doing it as ‘Oh, I gave the place back. The AI computer shows that the car was in front. F*** you.’ I wonder if it was just like a snap in his head,” he added.
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar driver
The FIA responded by issuing Verstappen a 10-second time penalty, dropping him from fifth to tenth place in the final race results, along with three penalty points on his super license. The accumulation of penalty points places Verstappen under threat of suspension if he incurs one more within the next year.
Impact and Outlook for the Iowa Doubleheader and Rossi’s Season
The changes to the technical package for the Iowa doubleheader represent a significant shift in the 2025 NTT IndyCar Championship, with increased challenges and opportunities for drivers like Alexander Rossi to adapt and capitalize. Rossi’s detailed understanding of the new car dynamics and the value of double points highlight the strategic importance of this weekend for the championship race.
With the test run completed under realistic conditions, teams are better positioned to fine-tune their setups for both qualifying and racing. Rossi’s position in the standings indicates he is poised to leverage these insights during the doubleheader. The event’s outcomes could influence the championship momentum as the season progresses into its middle stages.
