A decade on: Rossi’s newfound Indy 500 appreciation

Credit: Dominic Loyer

A fresh-faced Alexander Rossi had a lot to learn. Maybe at the time, one decade ago this month, he did not appreciate just what a profound success it was.

His victory in the 2016 Indianapolis 500 - as a rookie in only his sixth race with the Andretti Autosport team - was one of the most spectacular in the race’s storied history, as he coasted over the line on depleted fuel to win at his very first attempt.

But having moved over from a background predominantly in Europe, reaching a crescendo of five Formula One starts in late 2015, he did not realise quite what Indianapolis meant. Now approaching his 11th Indy 500 start 10 years on, though, the feeling has altered vastly.

“It’s night and day different,” he told DIVEBOMB at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Wednesday, at the beginning of practice week. “When I came over here in 2016, I didn’t have much of an understanding of the significance of this event and the magnitude of what it means. And every year since then, that’s just grown exponentially.

“I feel very fortunate to have had nine [more] opportunities so far - and I’m obviously hoping that we’ll have another good shot at it this year to get number two.”

Credit: Chris Owens

The 2016 event - the 100th Running of the Indy 500 - proved the beginning of a trend of competitiveness at the Speedway for Rossi. But anguish followed too.

In 2017, he qualified third before finishing seventh, then racing from 32nd to fourth the following season. The 2019 running provided the greatest heartbreak, finishing second in the fight for victory with Team Penske’s Simon Pagenaud. He finished in the top five again in his final season with Andretti in 2022 before a fifth and fourth with Arrow McLaren.

But through those near misses over the span of a decade grew an increasing appreciation for the Speedway and the stark emotions it evokes. 

“It’s the people you meet and the stories you hear - and then on track the close calls with winning another one and the heartbreak that comes from this place,” Rossi added of how he has grown to appreciate Indy since winning. “Every lap you turn around here and every day you come back, it’s something that little bit different and you realise something more. 

“So it’s not one thing. It’s just the evolution of you as a person coming here is unlike [at] any place I’ve ever experienced. This will be my 10th year going to Mid-Ohio and you don’t have that same connection to it. It’s very cool and you’re in for a hell of an experience.”