For Marcus Ericsson, the 2024 IndyCar season was one he’d rather forget. Once a formidable front-runner with Chip Ganassi Racing, where he notched five wins, including an Indianapolis 500 victory, the Swede’s debut season with Andretti Global fell flat. A solitary podium at Detroit and a few top-five finishes were all he had to show as he plummeted to 15th in the championship standings, his worst since joining the series in 2019.
Now, Ericsson is channeling that frustration into a relentless offseason transformation. Determined to rise above the mediocrity of his first winless year since 2021, the six-year IndyCar veteran is doubling down on his fitness, mindset, and preparation to ensure a triumphant return to victory lane.
A Season to Fuel the Fire
“It sucks. I’m pissed off about that,” Ericsson said of his winless year. “I want to be back in the victory lane and fighting up front. And that’s not going to happen just by sitting around and saying, ‘Oh, I wish I could be better next year.’”
Ericsson’s struggles with Andretti were compounded by a string of misfortunes in the No. 28 Honda, often leaving him as the odd man out in a competitive lineup featuring Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood. But rather than wallow in what he considers wasted potential, Ericsson is using the setback as rocket fuel.
“Sometimes you need to get beaten down a little bit to reach new heights. This year was a bit like that. It didn’t go the way I wanted or the way it should have gone. But it’s about how you respond to that.”
Building Strength—In Body and Mind
Ericsson’s response? A full-scale offseason overhaul. Fueled by his belief in preparation over luck, the Swede has added 10 pounds of muscle and honed a new discipline with the help of a mental trainer.
“I don’t believe in bad luck. I believe in preparing yourself to succeed,” Ericsson said. “Working hard physically helps you become mentally stronger, and vice versa. I’ve been working on getting better every day, every week, so when I get to St. Pete, I’m ready to kick some ass.”
The offseason grind has brought a renewed sense of purpose for Ericsson, who is entering the second year of his two-year contract with Andretti Global. His aim is simple: prove he belongs back at the top.
Eyes on St. Pete and Beyond
With the longest offseason in recent memory, Ericsson is laser-focused on the season opener at St. Petersburg, a race he’s treating as his first shot at redemption. Despite the challenges of 2024, the Swede remains confident in his ability to deliver for himself and Andretti.
“It’s giving me that extra push to really show, for myself mainly, but for everyone else as well, that I can perform and win races.”
The 2025 IndyCar season marks Ericsson’s chance to not only redeem himself but also reestablish his place as a driver to beat. The fire is there. The preparation is underway. And Ericsson is ready to remind the field—and himself—why he’s one of the most dangerous competitors on the grid.
Can Marcus Ericsson reclaim his winning ways and elevate Andretti to new heights? One thing’s for sure: come March, all eyes will be on the No. 28 Honda as it hits the streets of St. Pete.
