The arrival of IndyCar’s charter system for 2025 will bring about the end of Chip Ganassi’s five-car operation.
An almighty effort in the first place, the reigning champions will be fielding two fewer cars next year for a few reasons.
The biggest of them all being that they were no longer guaranteed a place on the grid every weekend with the arrival of PREMA to the sport.
For their IndyCar competitors, you would think that’s fantastic news – but those at the front are aware that it now means they have more time and energy to put into their winning cars at the front.
Why Chip Ganassi’s downsized operation for 2025 is ‘terrifying’
Both Alex Palou and Scott Dixon combined for four victories in 2024 and finished inside the top six of the championship.
Alexander Rossi is a driver that knows what it feels like to be fighting with those cars every weekend, and how much hard work is required to overcome them.
Speaking on his Off Track with Hinch and Rossi podcast, he revealed how their increased efforts on their winning cars could be a problem for their competitors in 2025.
READ MORE: How Logan Sargeant impressed Jim Meyer and Mike Shank ahead of November IndyCar test
“I think it’s amazing what Ganassi was able to accomplish this year. Expanding to five cars and to still have competitiveness across their entire tent, that they did.
“It’s terrifying now for everyone else that they’re downsizing back to three and so they’re going to have even more focus and more resources on the car that is the two-time defending champion.”
Why Palou stands a great chance of claiming a fourth title in 2025
Palou has already proven that he has what it takes to defend an IndyCar title in the face of adversity – both on and off track.
He handled an electrical issue at the penultimate round of the season which blew the championship race wide open with such grace, and still had a smile on his face.
Dealing with a big McLaren legal issue at the same time as focusing on his racing efforts and having a family, shows just how well he can multi-task.
READ MORE: Marcus Armstrong shares ‘obvious’ reason why he will be joining Meyer Shank Racing in 2025
With the legal issues not far from resolution and a Chip Ganassi team that is even more focused on his efforts now – they could be faster than they have ever been next year.
It’s an ominous sign for their rivals, who would’ve been hoping that the American outfit would let up a little bit, but they didn’t become one of the greatest teams of all time from resting on their laurels.