Even though the 2025 IndyCar season is not yet complete, Honda has been awarded the manufacturers’ championship.

In America’s top open wheel series, cars are powered by one of two engines. Honda and Chevrolet compete against each other to supply the best and most reliable engines to their customers on the grid.

With nearly equal numbers of competitors fitting each engine to the back of their cars, the battle can be quite intense between the two to secure bragging rights.

Helped by Alex Palou’s dominance, Honda has now secured its 11th manufacturers’ championship, and its fifth in the past eight years.

“We have the privilege of sitting here, but we’re just representing the hard work of an amazing group of men and women,” said SRC President David Salters.

“So ‘Thank you’ is the theme. To watch people achieve what they achieved through being smart and working hard is the greatest privilege we can have.

“What do we think? How do we respond? It’s ‘Thank you’ to all our men and women, teams men and women, everybody.

“A racing car is a sum of the parts,” continued Salters, addressing Palou’s dominance in recent years.

“It’s never one thing. It’s a collection of everything, in my experience. I’ve only been doing it for 30 years, so I’m still learning a lot.

“It’s the sum of the parts. I think between the efforts we’ve put into it, we weren’t happy where we were last year, so we worked really, really hard over the winter.

“CGR is performing at huge heights. All the boys and girls, HRC we’ve stepped up to huge heights.

“Alex Palou, we are witnessing a generational talent. But then Kyle, another huge talent. Scott Dixon is still Scott Dixon. So it’s all these things that go together.”

Honda has secured 12 wins out of 16 events so far this year, most coming at the hands of Palou.

The post Honda awarded IndyCar manufacturers’ championship appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Christian Rasmussen won his first IndyCar race on Sunday, partly due to his aggressive driving style that allowed him to pass six cars in the final 29-lap stint.

Rasmussen’s aggressiveness has been a talking point this season, usually with the conversation asking whether or not it is over the line.

The young driver’s team owner Ed Carpenter does not see his approach as a problem, however, and put his full support behind Rasmussen following his victory.

“Christian impressed us a ton before he ever got in one of our cars, the way he finished off the INDY NXT championship that he won,” said Carpenter.

“The back half of that season, it was a tight battle, but he really took control of it at the end. That level of intensity, dedication and improvement that he showed from his two years in that championship is really what stood out to me.

“Then we put him in a car [for a test day] at Barber against Oliver Askew. A bit of a showdown. He rose to that challenge, as well. When you put a car in front of him, especially when he’s got a tire advantage, it’s a scary thing.

“People talk about they don’t like everything he does. We haven’t asked him to change one thing. He’s attacking and being aggressive, not settling for anything.

“That’s the mentality we want to have as a team. Really proud of the effort and he way he finished today.”

Respected by others

Perhaps because he earned the victory at Milwaukee, Rasmussen’s style accrued respect from other competitors as well.

Multiple drivers came to victory lane to congratulate him in person, including his team-mate Alexander Rossi who lifted him off his car as soon as he climbed out.

But the appreciation from those outside the ECR team are perhaps more representative of the true opinions of the paddock.

“That’s how he races,” said Scott McLaughlin, who finished third on Sunday. “You got to respect it.

“I think he’s very fast. He’s very brave. He makes some really nice split-second decisions.

“As we’ve seen, it’s bit him in the backside a couple of times as well. He’s learning. He’s getting better.

“I don’t know. I’ve said for a long time, he’s going to win a race at some point. He’s been really strong. He’s not scared of taking the chance.”

Rasmussen has finished in the top 10 for all five oval races this season, showing how well his driving style is suited to the banking.

He has one more chance to make it a perfect six-for-six next weekend at Nashville Superspeedway for the season finale.

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Red Bull is eyeing a move for IndyCar champion Alex Palou to join Max Verstappen in the team’s Formula 1 ranks, according to a report in America.

The Milton Keynes-based squad has returned to struggling with its second seat alongside Verstappen, after firing Sergio Perez at the end of last year.

Liam Lawson lasted just two races at the start of this year and was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda, who has also struggled to score points in the tricky RB21.

Meanwhile, Palou’s stock has continued to rise Stateside, as he took his third straight IndyCar title just two weeks ago, his fourth overall.

It would not be the first time that Palou has been linked to F1, after an initial and contentious connection via McLaren.

The Woking-based outfit filed a lawsuit in 2023, which is ongoing, regarding an alleged breach of contract, after having tested its F1 challengers in a reserve driver role.

And earlier this summer, Williams Team Principal James Vowles revealed that the Spaniard was on its shortlist of candidates for a drive alongside Alex Albon this year.

Immediately after his first Indy 500 win this year, Palou revealed to the Indianapolis Star newspaper that F1 was not “calling him” anymore.

He added that his focus was now away from F1 after his long and successful stint across the pond, and that he “[liked] winning races”, seeking glory rather than fame.

But now the same publication is reporting that Red Bull’s hierarchy may now be able to tempt his attention back to F1.

However, the supposed terms of Palou’s current contract with Chip Ganassi Racing could see Red Bull required to pay a hefty release clause to spring the 28-year-old from it.

Unlike other IndyCar drivers rumoured to be seeking the challenge of F1, Palou has the required Super Licence points in order to race.

And his glowing profile as one of the world’s best drivers might also tempt Red Bull into a potential play for his signature, particularly given the sport’s growing popularity in the country.

READ MORE – IndyCar star Colton Herta yet to rule out F2 switch to help secure F1 drive

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IndyCar star Colton Herta has failed to rule out a potential move to Formula 2 in order to secure a Formula 1 drive in the future.

The American, who drives for the Andretti Global squad, has been the subject of longstanding rumours about a possible switch to F1, which began in 2021.

Amid Andretti’s interest in purchasing Sauber, Herta’s name was banded around, and was said to have had a seat fitting, but the sale fell through.

The 25-year-old was then handed a TPC test car Portimao with McLaren, which encompassed speculation about a move to Racing Bulls, then AlphaTauri.

But the FIA was said not to be prepared to make an exception of Herta, as he did not possess the sufficient Super Licence points to gain entry.

Herta would have been able to have achieved that this year should he have been able to have completed a top four finish in the IndyCar standings.

But with one round to go and in sixth place, he is now mathematically unable to reach the required 40 licence points needed to be deemed qualified for F1.

This has now led to speculation that he may be willing to take a seat in F2, which would potentially create an easier passage to F1 should he desire it.

Ahead of the Snap-On 250 at the Milwaukee Mile, Herta said that it was purely speculation, intimating he knew nothing more than anyone else at this moment.

“I’ve heard those rumours, too,” Herta told the IndyStar. “That’s all it is right now, is rumours.”

Herta admits an IndyCar to F1 switch would be something ‘to think about’

Such is the length of time he has been linked with a move to F1, Herta acknowledged that he is not trying to force one, but said earlier in the year that he would “think about it” if an opportunity arose.

“I’ve been dragged around in these talks for, like, half a decade now,” he said.

“I’ve had the carrot in front of me for a while, and I’m kind of tired of that being the case, and I just want to drive at this point and focus on IndyCar this year and focus on winning the championship, and if something arises out of that, I’d still have to think about it.”

Herta recognised the personal commitments it would require for him to make such a jump, including an upheaval of his life from the States to Europe.

“All my friends and family are here in the US, and I don’t know anybody where I would be going, so it’s a big decision to make if I have to make that decision.”

READ MORE – The rising star who could be ‘deal of the century’ for F1 teams

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The NTT IndyCar Series tackled the historic Milwaukee Mile on Sunday, with 250 laps deciding who would walk away with a special tool-themed trophy at the end of the day.

Christian Lundgaard stormed to his first IndyCar victory, taking advantage of fresh tires in the final laps to fly past five cars to take the top spot. It was Ed Carpenter Racing’s first win since 2021.

Alex Palou led the most laps, but ended the day second after Rasmussen slid past. McLaughlin similarly was hampered by old tires, and rounded out the podium in third.

READ MORE: IndyCar Milwaukee – Full Race Report

There were a high number of cautions and high number of pit stops, as drivers looked to change to fresh tires nearly every 50 laps.

Unfortunately, the cautions came with disappointment as Callum Ilott, Will Power, and Nolan Siegel all failed to see the checkered flag.

Only one more race left on the 2025 IndyCar calendar, with a tilt around the Nashville Superspeedway coming up next weekend.

The post IndyCar Milwaukee – Race Results appeared first on Motorsport Week.

The penultimate round of the 2025 IndyCar season took place on Sunday, with drivers completing 250 laps around the iconic Milwaukee Mile.

Low banking and wide, sweeping turns produced side by side racing for much of the event, thrilling the fans that packed the fairground grandstands.

The end of the race was particularly thrilling, as three of the front running drivers chose not to take new tires while the rest of the field did.

READ MORE: IndyCar Milwaukee – Full Race Results

Christian Rasmussen positively rocketed through the field on his new tires, climbing from sixth up to second in a matter of a few laps.

His rush did not stop there, as he disposed of the leader Alex Palou in a similarly quick method. Rasmussen’s final pass was clean and neat on the outside, and allowed him to quickly build a gap.

In the final 15 laps, Rasmussen built up over a one second lead and took home his first ever IndyCar victory in style.

The Danish driver is wrapping up his first full season, having raced the road courses for a majority of last season, and secured Ed Carpenter Racing’s first win since 2021 in the process.

Palou led 195 laps, but was content to cross the line in second. He noted that it was one of his best oval performances, and had no external factors helping propel him to the front.

Finishing in third was Scott McLaughlin, who hung around near the front and was also undone by a decision to not pit on the final yellow flag period.

Rasmussen’s ECR team-mate Alexander Rossi was fourth, and Pato O’Ward finished fifth after starting on the second row.

Colton Herta climbed right through the field with an impressive performance. He was 11 positions ahead in just the first 20 laps, and ended up gaining 13 positions total.

After starting down the order due to a spin in qualifying, Herta finished in 11th.

Pit stops and strategy

There were ample amounts of pit stops during the afternoon, with tire wear the deciding factor for how long drivers could stay on track.

Instead of running a full fuel cycle, drivers largely chose to pit after only 50 laps or so to take on new Firestone tires.

The difference in speed with fresh rubber was massive, and when a couple teams attempted to extend their stints their drivers were immediately three to four miles per hour off the pace.

The winning strategy was to pit as often as possible, with the top teams stacking six sets of fresh tires in their pit boxes before the event began.

One of those pits stops proved to be David Malukas’ undoing, however, as his AJ Foyt crew struggled to get the right front wheel tightened.

Malukas had been battling for the lead in the early portion of the event and looked to have the best chance to unseat Palou at the top of the order.

But after the slow stop put him a lap down, he was caught in traffic and could not quite make it back to the front.

Malukas worked his way up to eighth, but rued what could have been if his pit stops had gone as cleanly as Palou’s.

Incidents galore

There were plenty of cautions to help facilitate pit stops, although some came too early to allow teams to fit new tires.

On the second lap of the event, Nolan Siegel touched the inside curb and spun hard into the outside barriers. His day was done before it even got started.

Graham Rahal spun on the ensuing restart and brought out a second caution, but he was able to keep his car out of the wall and continued only having lost a few positions.

During the second round of pit stops near lap 100, Will Power was pushed into the upper lane while battling with Kyffin Simpson.

His #12 Team Penske Chevy touched the wall, which broke the toe link. He could no longer keep control of his car with the damage, and spun across the track to bring out another caution.

There was another caution just past halfway when Callum Ilott’s engine expired on track, forcing him to retire in his pit box amid a cloud of smoke.

Race control used the break to inspect the mile long track for oil, but none was found and the action was restarted shortly after.

There was one final caution on lap 208 when a tiny rain shower dropped sprinkles over the speedway. The rain moved out immediately, and there were only a few laps under yellow before drivers were released again.

The impacts of the final stoppage were many, however, as it allowed Rasmussen to fit a fresh set to tires and fly to his first career win.

There is just one race left on the 2025 IndyCar calendar, and the paddock will reform next weekend in Nashville for the finale.

The post Christian Rasmussen storms to maiden IndyCar victory at the Milwaukee Mile appeared first on Motorsport Week.

All 27 drivers of the NTT IndyCar Series buckled in and completed two of the fastest laps they could muster around the Milwaukee Mile Saturday afternoon, setting the grid for Sunday’s race.

Continuing his hot streak, Alex Palou earned pole by completing his laps in 44.8422 seconds, which gave him an average speed of 162.971 MPH. His laps were nearly three quarters of a MPH faster than any other driver, once again showing the field how talented he is.

David Malukas was second quick, followed by Pato O’Ward and Scott McLaughlin who filled out the second row on the grid.

READ MORE: IndyCar Milwaukee – Full Qualifying Report

Colton Herta saved an oversteer moment on his first lap and kept his #26 Honda from damage, but his run was still ruined. Felix Rosenqvist was not so lucky, and backed his #60 MSR entry into the barriers before he could complete his run.

Kyffin Simpson, Scott Dixon, and Louis Foster all were given grid penalties for excessive engine changes, and each will drop nine positions down the order for race time.

Drivers have a final practice yet to complete, then will jump straight into the 250-lap race on Sunday at 1:00 central time.

The post IndyCar Milwaukee – Qualifying Results appeared first on Motorsport Week.

Saturday afternoon at the Milwaukee Mile was set aside for IndyCar qualifying, with drivers completing two solo laps in order to set the grid for Sunday’s race.

Drivers generally improved as the session went out, with later laps having the benefit of more rubber built up on the concrete surface.

When the line of cars on pit lane was emptied, however, it was the inevitable Alex Palou that had the fastest time of the afternoon.

READ MORE: IndyCar Milwaukee – Full Qualifying Results

Palou’s two laps were completed in 44.8422 seconds, which gave him an average speed of 162.971 MPH. His laps were nearly three quarters of a MPH faster than any other driver.

David Malukas had a good chance at earning his first career IndyCar pole, and was in the provisional top spot for most of the final portion of the event.

He was seen getting his hopes up as his time stood up, but then disappointment hit when Palou, who was the final qualifier, knocked him out of the top position.

Pato O’Ward also had a good set of laps and earned the third grid position, just ahead of Scott McLaughlin in fourth.

The other members of Team Penske had solid runs as well, with Will Power qualifying sixth and Josef Newgarden setting the eighth best time.

Grid penalties and disappointment

Three drivers were assessed grid penalties ahead of qualifying, with all three entries needing an engine change which pushed them over the number allowed.

Kyffin Simpson and Scott Dixon each lost an engine at the team’s test at Milwaukee last week, and Louis Foster’s engine failed at the beginning of practice earlier in the day.

All three were Honda engines, and the most consequential was the penalty for Dixon.

The veteran qualified with the fifth best time, but he will roll away from the 14th position.

Simpson and Foster were well down the order, and will take up the final two positions on the grid on Sunday.

Colton Herta was simultaneously extremely unlucky and lucky, and the Californian’s skills saved his Andretti crew from having to rebuild the #26.

The rear of his car stepped out on his first flying lap, but quick hands and deft throttle control allowed him to control his car while in an extreme slide. He remarkably brought the car to rest without touching any walls at all.

Herta’s time was obviously way off the pace, and he will start Sunday’s event from the rear of the field.

Felix Rosenqvist also had a sudden case of oversteer, but he was not able to save his car from taking damage.

His #60 MSR Honda slid into the Turn 4 wall and impacted it squarely with the rear attenuator, damaging his rear wing and suspension in the process.

With the grid set, drivers will hit the track in anger on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM central time for 250 laps around the flat oval.

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The NTT IndyCar Series has announced three grid penalties for this weekend’s event at the Milwaukee Mile.

Two entries from Chip Ganassi Racing are affected, with Kyffin Simpson in the #8 car and Scott Dixon in the #9 car both taking new engines ahead of the weekend.

Both drivers reportedly had an engine expire during the team’s test session at Milwaukee last week, leading to the penalties this weekend.

The engines push both entries over the prescribed yearly limit, meaning each will have to slide down the order before the race begins.

The third driver to incur a penalty was rookie Louis Foster, whose #45 entry developed a problem at the very beginning of practice.

Foster did not turn any laps whatsoever, and his Rahal Letterman Lanigan crew began work to fit a new Honda power plant to his car as well.

All three drivers will receive a nine-place grid penalty, which is the standard for oval events.

If one of the three happens to qualify fastest, he will still earn pole but will have to start the race from further down the order.

Qualifying takes place at 1:00 PM central time, with the 250-lap race taking place at the same time on Sunday afternoon.

The post Three Honda drivers to take IndyCar grid penalties at Milwaukee appeared first on Motorsport Week.

The NTT IndyCar Series took to the historic Milwaukee Mile on Saturday morning, sampling the track and getting in a solid hour of practice.

Perhaps making a break in his run of poor results, Josef Newgarden set the fastest lap of the morning.

His fast lap was run in 22.6864 seconds, leading to an average speed of 161.066 MPH on the flat oval.

Team Penske overall looked dialed in, with all three drivers posting laps in the top eight of the time sheets.

The series’ newest four time champion Alex Palou was second quick, with Conor Daly setting the third best time.

Drivers were a little cautious during their practice runs, making sure they did not damage their cars ahead of qualifying.

There is only two hours between practice and qualifying, meaning any repair work would have potentially led to sitting out of qualifying altogether.

A few drivers had moments of oversteer as they pushed the limits a bit, but overall there were no incidents to speak of.

The only interruption was for track inspection, with series officials making sure that there was no moisture seeping through the track.

The Milwaukee area had flooding rains just two weeks ago, but it appears that the track remains safe to race on this weekend.

Louis Foster did not complete any competitive laps at all, and the team quickly diagnosed that a new Honda engine was needed.

His RLL team began work on the rear of the #45 entry, and Foster will take a grid penalty taking a fresh power plant.

Qualifying takes place at 1:00 PM central time, when two timed laps will set the order for Sunday’s race.

The post Josef Newgarden tops the timesheets for Milwaukee’s opening practice appeared first on Motorsport Week.