Alexander Rossi, a former teammate of Pato O’Ward at Arrow McLaren, reflected on their ongoing competition as the Mexican driver climbs the ranks and leads the IndyCar Championship. Despite their split in 2025 and racing for different teams, their respectful rivalry continues to capture attention on the track.
Rossi, who entered IndyCar in 2016, became widely known after winning the 100th Indianapolis 500 as a rookie, a remarkable achievement that marked the start of his notable career. He remained a title contender in the following seasons before moving from Andretti to Arrow McLaren, where he reunited with O’Ward. This reunion sparked expectations of a fierce intra-team rivalry, but Rossi often found himself trailing behind his younger teammate.
In 2025, Rossi switched to Ed Carpenter Racing to seek better opportunities after struggling to keep pace with O’Ward, who continued to impress with his strong performances. Even though they now drive for different teams, Rossi and O’Ward frequently compete directly on the track, with the Mexican driver often coming out on top.
Discussing their battles during a press conference ahead of the Monterey Grand Prix, Rossi expressed admiration for O’Ward’s progress and their mutual respect:
“You have certain guys that you really enjoy racing with. Pato [O’Ward] is one of those guys. There’s just a huge amount of respect and appreciation between us. Those guys you always have the best battles with.”
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar Driver
“Pato is one of those guys. Since I was not participating in the race, I was glad to see he was able to get a win. That was cool for him.”
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar Driver
While O’Ward continues to gain success in the championship, Rossi has faced difficulties in 2025, with just four top-10 finishes so far. He currently occupies 18th position in the standings, trailing his Ed Carpenter Racing teammate Christian Rasmussen by 18 points after 13 rounds.
Alexander Rossi Aims for Strong Performance at Laguna Seca
The upcoming Monterey Grand Prix at Laguna Seca holds special significance for Rossi and Ed Carpenter Racing, as it is effectively a home event for the team, supported by the race’s title sponsor, Java House. The 2.238-mile circuit and its 95 laps present a crucial opportunity for Rossi and teammate Rasmussen to deliver solid results and boost morale.
Speaking on the importance of this race, Rossi emphasized the pressure and motivation to perform well for the organization and its supporters during the press event:
“It’s been a difficult run. I think the team in general is very in need of a strong result for both cars, not only for kind of a confidence boost for the whole organization, but also because it’s the team’s home race now kind of with the Java House being the title sponsor. There’s going to be a lot of eyes and a lot of opportunity to make people very happy if we can have a good weekend.”
—Alexander Rossi, IndyCar Driver
As the season progresses, Rossi remains determined to close the gap in the standings and challenge his rivals, including O’Ward, who is establishing himself as a leading figure in the championship. Their ongoing rivalry highlights the competitive spirit and mutual respect at the heart of IndyCar racing, promising further exciting battles ahead.