Marcus Ericsson 'pissed' with IndyCar setback, aims to take 2025 by storm

Marcus Ericsson's IndyCar career took a steep hit in 2024 in his first year with Andretti Global. After three years of winning at least one race each season, the Swede recorded none this year. A second place in Detroit was his best finish and the only podium he stood on.

This slump has given Ericsson renewed zeal to make a memorable comeback in 2025. Speaking with RACER this week, the No. 28 driver revealed he has already put on 10 pounds of muscle from this time last year. A non-believer of 'bad luck', the 2022 Indy 500 winner took matters into his own hands.

"This year, I didn’t win a race for the first time in a few years, and that sucks. I’m pissed off about that, and I want to be back in the victory lane and fighting up front," he said. "And that’s not going to happen just by sitting around and being like, ‘Oh, I wish I could be better next year.’ It comes from working hard and working on all areas to be better, and that’s what I’m trying to do. So it’s been fun. When you feel like you’re physically strong, it helps you to be more mentally strong as well, and vice versa. I’m excited for what’s to come."

In 2024, Ericsson finished a mediocre 15th in the championship standings, after three consecutive years of finishing in sixth with Chip Ganassi Racing. His stance that physical fitness leads the way for mental progress has previously been echoed by two-time champ and defending two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden.

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When Marcus Ericsson revealed his mental health trick to thrive in the 'high-paced' world of motorsport

Marcus Ericsson at the 2023 INDYCAR Bommarito Automotive Group 500 - Source: Getty

Marcus Ericsson hasn't had a fairytale career in motor racing. Before the glory he achieved in IndyCar, the Swedish driver struggled in F1 for five years. Of those five seasons - one with Caterham and four with Sauber/Alfa Romeo - Ericsson scored points in only two - 9 each in 2015 and 2018. His rookie season in IndyCar was only slightly better.

Such testing times taught him the value of sound mental and physical health. He worked with his mental coach, Stig Wiklund, to ensure that he stayed fit at all times. In October 2023, after a successful final season with CGR, Ericsson spoke about this topic and said (via IndyCar):

"Life always seems to go at a high pace, and sometimes it’s good to pause a bit and reflect. Doing that helps me, and I always find that after these (weekly) sessions (with Stig Wiklund) I have a lot of energy and positivity, and that’s why I keep doing them."

Appreciating and finding joy in the small things like a good breakfast, a great meeting, and more gave him compounding returns on the positives. With the challenge of a revival awaiting Marcus Ericsson at the 2025 IndyCar season opener at St. Petersburg on March 2, it's full throttle on the prep till the green flag.