Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing are searching for their third driver for the 2025 IndyCar season.
The team endured a fairly difficult campaign among their drivers Graham Rahal, Christian Lundgaard and Pietro Fittipaldi, although Lundgaard was able to secure a podium at the Sonsio Grand Prix and finished 11th in the standings.
Rahal and Fittipaldi could not match the Dane’s feat of a podium as they finished 18th and 19th respectively, with Rahal picking up five top 10 finishes while Fittipaldi could not manage any in a challenging season for the Brazilian.
Lundgaard will join McLaren for the 2025 season while Fittipaldi has departed Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and is currently without a seat. Graham Rahal will remain with the team for next year as Bobby Rahal is looking for the long-term with their drivers for the vacant two seats.
One of them has been filled by the 2024 Indy NXT champion Louis Foster. The Brit will move up to IndyCar after an incredible campaign this year with eight wins, seven pole positions and 12 podiums.
Rinus VeeKay and Linus Lundqvist should ‘certainly’ be considered by Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for 2025
Speculation has grown as to who will land the third seat, with several options being available for RLL.
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Juri Vips will no doubt be a favourite given that he has had previous tests with the team and made three appearances in IndyCar with RLL – at Portland and Laguna Seca in 2023 and at Portland again in 2024.
RLL are working on the sponsorship for the No. 45 car to get Vips into the seat, but speaking on the Marshall Pruett Podcast, Pruett highlighted two other drivers that the team should also be considering.
“Bobby’s [Rahal] told us in print that Juri is certainly on that shortlist,” he said.
“Rinus VeeKay being available is certainly something for them to think about. Linus Lundqvist’s certainly someone to think about. Who knows? There might be others out there that could get a nod as well.”
Who should Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sign for 2025?
Rinus VeeKay’s departure from Ed Carpenter Racing came as a shock to IndyCar fans given his performances this season. With the Dutchman now a free agent, he will be a solid option for RLL as an experienced driver and someone who is capable of getting a result, having grabbed a win and four podiums with ECR.
Linus Lundqvist secured two podiums for Chip Ganassi Racing at Barber and Gateway in 2024, but his inconsistencies have cost him a seat with the team in 2025. At 25 years old, the Swedish driver still has a lot to offer and would also be worth considering.
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Vips is already well-established with RLL and would be expected to get the third seat alongside Rahal and Foster, but there are other options out there for the team to think about.
Romain Grosjean would provide experience after his departure from Juncos Hollinger Racing, while Sting Ray Robb brings a wealth of sponsorship, although his career has not been as successful as other candidates.