IndyCar driver Rinus VeeKay has announced his departure from Ed Carpenter Racing, leaving him without a team for the upcoming season.
VeeKay has had a notable tenure at ECR, joining the team in 2020 and racing with them for four years. Confirming the news to social media, VeeKay wrote:
“A big ‘thank you’ to everyone that sent me kind messages over the past few days.
“I also want to thank Ed Carpenter Racing for giving me the opportunity and support during the last 5 years…
Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
“We had some excellent success together, but as happens in racing, we had some challenges too…but most importantly we always gave the maximum and had fun…with a great team spirit…
“Now that my contract with ECR has come to an end, I am excited about the future and know that I have my best racing years ahead of me.”
A big “thank you” to everyone that sent me kind messages over the past few days.
I also want to thank Ed Carpenter Racing for giving me the opportunity and support during the last 5 years…
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/EMtS6eWB0H— Rinus VeeKay (@rinusveekay) September 23, 2024
The 2024 season saw VeeKay secure a fifth-place finish in the first race at Iowa and achieve six additional top-10 finishes, culminating in a 13th place in the overall championship standings with 300 points.
The Dutch driver reflected on his last race of the season, and with the team, commenting on social media:
“Awesome season finale yesterday. We were quick all race but the yellows fell at the worst time to make our strategy work. Can’t control what you can’t control. Time for some rest now!”
Awesome season finale yesterday. We were quick all race but the yellows fell at the worst time to make our strategy work. Can’t control what you can’t control. Time for some rest now!😴 pic.twitter.com/yBRLpglTH8
— Rinus VeeKay (@rinusveekay) September 16, 2024
VeeKay’s departure leaves him alongside other notable drivers who are currently free agents, including Alexander Rossi and Linus Lundqvist. Additionally, Logan Sargeant, a former Formula 1 driver with Williams, is confirmed to test with Meyer Shank Racing.
The announcement of VeeKay’s exit coincides with significant structural changes within the IndyCar series, most notably the establishment of a long-awaited charter system. This new system is set to impact team dynamics and the driver market, potentially influencing where VeeKay and other free agents might land for future races.
Spanish driver Alex Palou celebrated the IndyCar Championship win this year followed by Colton Herta and Scott McLaughlin.
2024 IndyCar Driver Championship Results
- Alex Palou – 544
- Colton Herta – 513
- Scott McLaughlin – 505
- Will Power – 498
- Pato O’Ward – 460
- Scott Dixon – 456
- Kyle Kirkwood – 420
- Josef Newgarden – 401
- Santino Ferrucci – 367
- Alexander Rossi – 366
- Christian Lundgaard – 312
- Felix Rosenqvist – 306
- Rinus VeeKay – 300
- Marcus Armstrong – 298
- Marcus Ericsson – 297
- Linus Lundqvist – 279
- Romain Grosjean – 260
- Graham Rahal – 251
- Pietro Fittipaldi – 186
- Sting Ray Robb – 185
- Kyffin Simpson – 182
- Christian Rasmussen – 163
- Nolan Siegel – 154
- David Malukas – 148
- Jack Harvey – 143
- Conor Daly – 119
- Agustin Canapino – 109
- Theo Pourchaire – 91
- Katherine Legge – 61
- Tom Blomqvist – 46
- Ed Carpenter – 45
- Toby Sowery – 45
- Callum Ilott – 39
- Luca Ghiotto – 27
- Helio Castroneves – 26
- Kyle Larson – 21
- Takuma Sato – 19
- Tristan Vautier – 12
- Juri Vips – 11
- Colin Braun – 10
- Hunter McElrea – 6
- Ryan Hunter-Reay – 6
- Marco Andretti – 5