Alexander Rossi collected his first podium since 2024 by finishing third in the IndyCar season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, driving the #20 ECR Chevrolet.
Road‑Course Revival
Starting fourth, Rossi led four laps before settling on a third‑place spot, marking the first ECR Commodore podium at the track where his last Arrow McLaren podium occurred.
The finish reflected steady gains on road courses after an early‑season slump that left the team ranked 15th in the drivers’ standings, matching last year’s position.
Year‑Long Hardships
Rossi described a season stacked with failures: crashes, gearbox collapses, hybrid engine breakdowns, and multiple on‑track fires.
“Anything that could go wrong really did go wrong,” he said, noting missing performance on several events and pit‑lane fire incidents that further dented morale.
Capitalizing on New Backing
With Ted Gelov’s addition to the ownership group ahead of 2025, the team gained the resources to narrow the gap to the sport’s heavyweights.
Rossi emphasized that the extra support allows ECR to procure essential tools and evolve faster, noting that rivals will continue developing in parallel.
Strategic Learning Curve
He pointed to the insights gained from testing at Mid‑Ohio and races in Portland and Laguna Seca, highlighting systematic identification of shortcomings and incremental problem‑solving.
Rossi stressed that the streak of analysis over the final five weeks is preparing the crew for an extensive off‑season aimed at cleaning up controllable issues heading into 2027.
Future Outlook
Rossi insists the podium is a vital catalyst for confidence, projecting it will spark a new competitive edge and better execution in the coming season.
“It’s a massive step in the right direction,” he added, “and it will guide our actions over the next months as we target a stronger 2027 performance.”
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