Rinus VeeKay was left disappointed after losing out on taking his first IndyCar win of 2025 at Indy Toronto.
Starting back in ninth place, Veekay faced an uphill battle at Indy Toronto to score points around the Canadian streets.
However, taking advantage of multiple cautions during the race, he found himself battling for the lead as strategies played out.
Duelling with McLaren’s Pato O’Ward, the Dale Coyne driver kept O’Ward at bay for multiple laps, but lost position. Trying valiantly to pass the McLaren for the lead, he ultimately had to settle for second.
Rinus VeeKay delighed with second place at Indy Toronto
Speaking in the post-race press conference, Rinus Veekay described his emotions and praised hsi team.
“Yeah, that was an awesome race.” he said. “We really had the feeling that he could do this today. We’ve been moving forward every race in the last six races.
“But we’ve been starting in the back. It was important for us to qualify good, and we qualified ninth. Did a bit of a different strategy to others. In a crazy race it was today, it was the right thing.
“Great team effort to go with that strategy. Yeah, we saved a lot of fuel. Unfortunately with Pato, he had a lot shorter fill with fuel. I was really, really in the collector coming through the pits. Fuel doesn’t flow quicker than it does. Unfortunately we lost some time there.
“Tried my best, but in the end the tyres were gone. Pato’s tyres were gone. We were all slipping around. Second is the best we could do for us, but second was a good day for us.
How did VeeKay and Dale Coyne secure second place?
Commenting on his late-race attack on O’Ward, Rinus VeeKay revealed the small margin he had to make up to O’Ward after the pit stops.
“Yeah, really tried. Tyres came in surprisingly quick. I had really good grip. Went hard. Yeah, just missed out on him probably by half a second until his tires warmed up.
Tried my best, really did. So did the whole team. Everybody did a great job. I mean, to do that two-stop, had to thank Honda for the great fuel economy.
Asked about his tyre management during the Indy Toronto Race, Rinus VeeKay revealed how he approached his pace.
“The yellows helped with that definitely. That was kind of our strategy. There was a really high probability in the last eight years with turn one, lap one yellows. Right now I think it was a lap four yellow. It was a pretty long one. That was good for us.
“Yeah, I really tried to baby them from the start, really be soft on them, try to stop wheel spin and everything.
“I expected the front tyres to be going off a lot. In the end we struggled with the rears going off on traction. In the end it felt like I was driving on the axles only on the rears. It was hard, but I don’t think we could have stretched it another lap.
Would VeeKay change his strategy if given the chance?
Rinus VeeKay also confirmed he and his team had no regrets about their approach to Indy Toronto.
“Yeah, I think I and the team did everything we could. Like I said, Pato did I think only 20 laps on that set of tires before the final pit stop. He had a lot shorter pit on fuel.
“At the end we were waiting for a full tank to fill up. That’s where we lost some time. Coming out of the pits, I think he was two seconds ahead. Closed the gap up. His tires were getting up to temp. In the end it’s hard to stay close and get a really good run.
“I really tried my best. I tried to save some tires to hope get to get close to him at the end with some back markers. In the end, this is all I think I could do.
VeeKay again praised his team, delighted at securing a strong results on the streets of Toronto.
I maximized, the whole team maximized“. He continued:” I think everyone is very happy. I think everybody on the team should be really proud.”
