One of the things I’ve enjoyed about this whole website is making friends in motorsport, and Tom Gaymor has very much become one to me. He joined me from the comfort of a beanbag and a dodgy charger to chat all things IndyCar in 2025.
AJ: First; a chat about some of the driver changes ahead of the season.
Christian Lundgaard
Tom: He’s moved to a very stable platform, opposed the Rahal Letterman Lanigan set up which has some uncertainties.
Quick in the last (Indy) 500, but he’ll have a little learning to do with the Chevy engine.
Do you think he’s aiming to get between O’Ward and Siegel?
He’s a robust driver, in multiple senses, he’ll hope and think he can go in there and be top dog. Solid driver.
David Malukas
He’s been earmarked as Will Power’s eventual Penske replacement which is a huge compliment to him; but one he deserves. Ovals could be big for him this season.
Louis Foster
He’s come to IndyCar very highly regarded. He’s got an aura, a mature head on young shoulders. He’s very exciting.
The seatless drivers
As yet Linus Lundqvist, Rinus VeeKay, Enzo & Pietro Fittipaldi are without seats despite test outings and experience, yet only one will race this year.
Bringing money is the big thing, but I’d also add Toby Sowery to that. He was excellent when he came in last season and deserves more opportunity.
VeeKay and Lundqvist seem to be the front runners, as they should, but some drivers will be disappointed - especially if they’re proving their worth in testing.
The charters will allow some drivers to prove their worth to teams, although some teams will run more than others with the fact teams can sell charters…
It’s a good idea, but I don’t know if it’ll be successful. Teams will have drivers paying good money, but these will only be suited to certain races and then they’ve got to fit on the grid somehow. There’s some good drivers who will benefit from the opportunity.
I’d like to see Felipe Nasr in there!
He’s one to watch if he gets a go, and he has been testing. A victim of his own success, he deserved a better shot in F1, but maybe IndyCar would be good for him!
PREMA: new team, what do you expect of their drivers? Ilott, with some experience, Shwartzman, next to none and coming from sports cars..
Ilott is experienced, but…he’s not raced the hybrid car yet! He’s tactical and strategic but there’s no knowing how good this team could be.
Shwartzman is a bit of an unknown, but he was third fastest in testing! He was obviously quick in F2 and F3 but this is completely different. His qualifying: I think he’ll struggle initially but his race pace will be very good.
One change to the calendar sees Milwaukee, ‘The Milwaukee Mile’, drop from two races to one, despite being highly entertaining in 2024: but we might see bigger changes to the next calendar, right?
The resurfacing played some havoc but it’s a shame to see it drop but I guess it’s all about moving forwards.
There seems to be some real traction over Mexico joining the calendar now which is exciting…”Pato who?”.
Another calendar change sees the ‘Million Dollar Challenge’ at the Thermal Club become a full points paying race.
They’ve got the right idea over this but the delivery of it is all wrong. It’s been sort of shoehorned in and it feels forced. Hopefully they can find a better way to do it.
Finally…who’s going to win the title?
Colton Herta. My dark horse is Scott McLaughlin, but Colton Herta for sure!
A big thanks to Tom for his time once again, and roll on the start of the season! We’ll catch up with Tom again close to the Indy 500!
📸 Image credits: NTT IndyCar Series, Arrow McLaren, Sky Sports, PREMA Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing.
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