We’re just past the halfway point of the 2025 IndyCar season, and with it comes the inevitable rendition of IndyCar Grid musical chairs.
As always, what you’ve done lately (and who’s paying your bills) often matters more than career highlights or reputation. Let’s all remember, you’re only as good as your last race. Glimpses into potential moves for the upcoming years on the IndyCar Grid have been made available to fans…I’m looking at you Penske.
Here’s where I think the momentum stands as the paddock begins quietly shaping up what the 2026 IndyCar Grid will look like.
David Malukas
Status: Penske-Bound… but when?
David Malukas has bounced around more than most on the IndyCar Grid over the past 2 seasons. Three teams, one major injury, but with a few stand out performances. The word in the paddock (and according to the Fox Sports Broadcasters live on air) is that he has a future at Team Penske locked in.
The question isn’t if – it’s when.
Could he replace Will Power as early as next season? The signs are there. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malukas becomes the face of Penske’s next generation.
Rinus VeeKay
Status: 2025 promotion is imminent
VeeKay’s form this season has been quietly excellent. The math is simple – VeeKay is driving for Dale Coyne racing, but has finished in the top 10 in over half of our races this year. Rinus is outdriving the car.
This has been a story true for Rinus throughout his IndyCar career, driving for mid to backmarker teams and still pulling consistent results (and even a win). He has long outgrown his current equipment and the time has come for a serious move. It’s potentially a move that could spell ‘champion hopeful’ for VeeKay in the next few seasons.
Where would I put him on the IndyCar Grid? Andretti. We’ll get into that in a second…
Marcus Ericsson
Status: On the Way Out at Andretti
Ericsson hasn’t met expectations this year, full stop. He’s been outpaced by both Herta and Kirkwood consistently, with only 2 top 10 finishes. Yes, for the sake of this article I’ll include the Indy 500 on pace. Comparatively, Herta has 5 top 10 finishes, and Kyle, of course, has 7 with 3 race wins.
Do I think Ericsson will completely fall off of the IndyCar Grid? No. He is a well accomplished driver with pedigree (and sponsor dollars) to match.
With a younger generation knocking and Andretti needing to reset after a mixed campaign, it’s hard to see Marcus keeping that seat. While I don’t think that Andretti would go for one of their NXT drivers, someone young and hungry like VeeKay is an easy replacement.
Alexander Rossi
Status: On the Rise Again
Rossi has bounced back in 2025 with the consistency we haven’t seen since his early Andretti days. He’s made the top 10 on four occasions, and it looks like something is ‘clicking’ at Ed Carpenter Racing. However, is it enough to move him back ‘up’ the IndyCar Grid?
Let’s give that question a few more races to answer. While his teammate Christian Rassmusen has also been impressive (although I believe he needs another year before a promotion), it’s unclear if Rossi will maintain this performance.
Where could a move land him? Not at Andretti, Ganassi or Penske, but the IndyCar grid always brings surprises…
Santino Ferrucci
Status: Staying and thriving
We cannot discuss David Malukas without Santino Ferrucci. Santino does stand out amongst the IndyCar Grid with 4 top 10’s and 2 podiums in a row. The way I see it though, Ferrucci IS the AJ Foyt racing program. Foyt and Ferrucci are in lock step. He’s not outperforming the car… he’s mastering it. There’s no reason for Foyt or Ferrucci to look elsewhere on the IndyCar Grid.
Robert Shwartzman
Status: Tough transition, quick exit
Shwartzman’s transition to IndyCar has fallen flat apart from his standout performance in Indy 500 qualifying. He hasn’t looked comfortable in traffic, hasn’t adapted well on road courses, and hasn’t been a consistent factor for a new team. Prema wants to maintain experience with Callum Ilott, but the second seat is up for grabs.
Who would replace Shwartzman? IndyNXT standouts – Dennis Hauger, Lochie Hughes, Caio Callet, or Myles Rowe. A case can be made for ANY of their promotions to the IndyCar Grid… my choice, Dennis Hauger.
Hauger has ties to Prema’s Formula series roots and has experienced NO transition pains into IndyCar style racing. He is what they hoped Shwartzman would be for Prema… but with a year of experience in the feeder series. This is a no-brainer in my humble opinion.
Devlin DeFrancesco
Status: Out
There’s not much debate left. Devlin has struggled in nearly every area this season – qualifying, race pace, consistency. Although Rahal Letterman Lanigan racing has struggled overall, a driver with as much experience on the IndyCar Grid as Devlin should provide some results. His rookie teammate Louis Foster has even out paced him on more than one occasion.
Where would Devlin go? I personally think the time has come for DeFrancesco to relinquish his spot on the IndyCar Grid. He has had no podiums let alone top 10 finishes to his name in his 3 years of IndyCar. It’s time…
Who would replace him at RLL? A hypothetically ‘demoted’ driver like Ericsson or a returner like Pietro Fittipaldi (2024 RLL Driver). A second rookie would be a stretch for the team strategically, leaning into experience is their best bet.
Kyffin Simpson & Nolan Siegel
Status: Question marks with checkbooks
If we’re talking performance alone, both would be vulnerable. However, this is professional racing and we’re talking about the IndyCar Grid here. That’s not the only game being played.
There’s a lot to unpack here. Even Conor Daly previously confirmed that Simpson was retained at Ganassi due to financial investment after performing WORSE than Lundqvist and Armstrong in 2024. A similar case has been made of Siegel.
That said, both are young and still developing, but with seats at top teams on the IndyCar Grid and no performance to back that up… their true value might be measured more in funding than finishes.
Could MSR Go to Three Cars?
Meyer Shank Racing has built something stable with Rosenqvist and Armstrong, and their ties with Honda have deepened. If you’ve attended numerous races this year, you would’ve caught the HRC team in their pit boxes. If the team can secure additional backing or a strategic sponsor, expanding to a third car in 2026 feels possible and exciting.
This change could open the door for a driver like Rossi to shift within the Honda ecosystem. Alternatively, it could give a top-tier IndyNXT graduate a shot in a competitive car instead of being relinquished to the back of the IndyCar Grid.
Changes to the IndyCar Grid are imminent
As always, silly season isn’t just about who’s fast – it’s about who’s funded, who’s available, and who fits a team’s longer-term strategy. With the field tightening and young drivers waiting in the wings, expect a healthy shakeup before the first green flag of 2026.
There are still a few dominoes to fall… and maybe one or two surprises waiting in the wings.
Feature Image: IndyCar Media Centre
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