Alexander Rossi shares crucial update on IndyCar's latest experiment for new 2028 car

Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi has shared a key update on IndyCar's latest experiment for new parts for its 2028 car. The Ed Carpenter Racing driver took part in a two-day test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on October 21 and 22 alongside three other drivers.

While reigning champion Alex Palou and 2025 runner-up Pato O'Ward's test plan focused on Firestone's tire development program, Rossi and two-time Indy 500 winner Takuma Sato tested new brake components for 2026 and spec dampers for the new 2028 car.

The brakes for next season impressed both drivers, but the spec dampers, which IndyCar was considering adding to its 2028 car, didn't. Dampers are currently the biggest area of innovation that teams have, with most other car parts being spec parts.

However, the series thought of making the dampers a spec part as well for 2028, not only because it would reduce the costs but also because it would reduce the car's weight, which is a primary goal for the 2028 chassis. Unfortunately, the first spec damper test fell flat, as Alexander Rossi shared on his podcast Off Track with Hinch and Rossi.

"There's a reason why teams spend seven figures on damper programs," he said. "The spec damper project, while not impossible, is seemingly something that is not incredibly viable, just because of how far away they are from the dampers that all the teams have developed for this period of time."

"It was a safe test because me and Takuma Sato both did it and it wasn't diabolical. And him and I both blindly, like, we joined at the end of the day and had a group debrief with IndyCar and Ohlins, the damper company, and our respective engineers. And without speaking to each other, everyone kind of came to the same conclusion. So it was all very productive and again, happy to be part of it," the Ed Carpenter Racing driver added.

Alexander Rossi highlighted that IndyCar was simply doing its "due diligence" in testing the spec dampers.

Alexander Rossi delivers "great news" for IndyCar's 2026 car upgrade

Alexander Rossi at the 2025 IndyCar Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix - Source: Getty

Alexander Rossi shared that IndyCar will be going ahead with the new brakes they tested at the IMS. Takuma Sato had claimed that the test of the new brake components was an "enormous success" and that even after 20 laps, the brakes remained stable with less drag.

Rossi, who was satisfied with the reduction in brake drag after day one of testing, revealed on his podcast how the series will go ahead with the new components.

"The first day was spent going through brakes, and we already talked about why that's a positive thing and seems like it worked," the 2016 Indy 500 winner said. "Those are going ahead for 2026, which is great news."

Alexander Rossi will take part in another two-day IndyCar test in the upcoming week alongside Scott Dixon. As Eric Smith shared on the Trackside podcast, the series will test at the Phoenix Raceway on November 6 and 7 (Thursday and Friday) as part of its preparation for a return to the 1-mile oval in 2026.