It was an announcement that has confused some in the paddock, as well as the fans – with Rinus VeeKay set to depart Ed Carpenter Racing.
The Dutchman has shown lots of loyalty to the outfit, and has been the only driver that has managed to consistently extract performance from their cars over the last few years.
He will be replaced by Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi for the 2025 season, as the American steps away from McLaren and gets a change of scenery.
It feels a bit harsh on VeeKay, who has never finished lower than 14th in the drivers’ standings and took their last win at the Grand Prix of Indianapolis in 2021.
Conor Daly ‘blown away’ as Rinus VeeKay leaves Ed Carpenter Racing
At the age of 24, VeeKay has many of his best years in IndyCar ahead of him, but one main problem now faces him.
There’s a lack of free seats for next season, and the few that are left are being fought for between drivers with huge sponsorship.
READ MORE: Former F1 driver backs Rinus VeeKay for Indy 500 drive after losing IndyCar seat
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Conor Daly commented on the matter, and struggles to see where he will go for 2025.
“I don’t know where Rinus goes. I think it would be a true shame, if you have someone who has been so good I believe honestly, and fighting an uphill battle.
“Let’s be honest, in those cars, there has been no one that has found any type of success other than Rinus. It’s just wild, it did seem like he was their flagship guy. I’m just blown away.”
Where can VeeKay go for 2025?
Daly has already confirmed that the Juncos Hollinger Racing seats available are being fought for between as many as 10 drivers with sponsorship.
It makes a move there for the IndyCar race winner unlikely, while there is also the sense of a bidding war for seats at Rahal Letterman Lanigan.
PREMA do have one spot left on their roster alongside Callum Ilott, but it would be a surprise if they hadn’t already put their plans in place for the future.
READ MORE: Conor Daly ‘trying to figure out’ how to secure 2025 JHR seat against drivers with ‘a ton of money’
It means that VeeKay, who is a bit of an oval specialist, looks resigned to competing in the Indy 500 only next year.
That’s unless a team owner wants to take a punt on him, securing the guarantee of his speed and experience, but not so much sponsorship money.