VeeKay optimistic about the future of IndyCar

Rinus VeeKay did not expect to be out of a job in the NTT IndyCar Series, but the young Dutchman is surprisingly optimistic after Ed Carpenter Racing opted to replace the five-year veteran with 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Alexander Rossi at the end of September.

“I’m doing well,” VeeKay told RACER. “The first week was a bit difficult to digest. You know, it was a little unexpected, just the whole situation that was going on. But I am always a positive person. After a few days I was just looking forward to the future. And of course Adrian (Sussman, his manager) has been calling everyone to make sure we look at every possible opportunity. And I am positive about the future; I’m not worried at all.

“It takes a bit of hard work. It’s a situation I’ve never been in before. But now that I’m 24 years old and have done 80 races in IndyCar, I think that’s pretty valuable, especially with my Indy 500 record. I think the teams that get a chance know that I am not a paying driver, so I have a lot of confidence in the possibilities.”

The winner of the 2021 Grand Prix in Indianapolis is encouraged by the discussions with potential teams.

“There have been a lot of shared interests,” VeeKay said. “There have been some very good conversations. And honestly, I think we look pretty good.”

Adding some IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship events to his next racing calendar would be a welcome option, but VeeKay is primarily focused on returning to open-wheel competition.

“It’s moving towards IndyCar now,” he said. “I’m open to doing something like IMSA, but my main interest is to do a full season of IndyCar. And I feel like IndyCar is one of those series where if you’re away for a season, you need at least a season to be that competitive again. So I want to work there full time. I should be there full time.”

Now that Louis Foster has signed with Rahal Letterman Lanigan, there are few seats open for next year. RLL has yet to announce who will pilot the third car, which was occupied by Pietro Fittipaldi last season, and from there it will be Dale Coyne Racing with two unclaimed cars and Juncos Hollinger Racing with a pair of entries with no drivers named for 2025. PREMA Racing has announced its second driver after confirming Callum Ilott, but this is not open to VeeKay.