Alexander Michael Rossi (born September 25, 1991) is an American racing driver, who is contracted to compete in the IndyCar Series for Ed Carpenter.

In 2005, after becoming IKF Grand National Champion in the 100cc Yamaha class,[1] Rossi was semi-finalist in the Red Bull Formula One American Drivers search with a top 5 finish overall out of over 2,000 nationwide candidates.

Coupled with Pål Varhaug's sixth place in the final race at Imola, Rossi moved up to fourth overall in the championship, and the highest-placed rookie driver.

Rossi stayed in the series for the 2012 season, but switched to newcomers Arden Caterham Motorsport, partnering Red Bull-backed driver Lewis Williamson.

[17] He was initially set to make his Formula One debut at the Belgian Grand Prix, replacing British driver Max Chilton,[18] although Marussia later reversed that decision.

[19] He later was set to replace the injured Jules Bianchi at the Russian Grand Prix,[20] but Marussia later decided to only run a single car for Chilton.

[24] Rossi qualified 20th and last for his debut, but rallied to finish 14th, just ahead of teammate Will Stevens (15th), despite losing radio communication with his crew around the halfway point of the Grand Prix.

[31] Despite signing for Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series, Rossi returned as a reserve driver for the reformed Manor Racing for the 2016 season.

"[34] On October 3, 2016, Rossi confirmed he would give up his reserve driver role at Manor following the 2016 season to focus on the IndyCar Series full-time.

Rossi competed in the 2014 24 Hours of Daytona for the DeltaWing team,[37] joining full-time drivers Andy Meyrick and Katherine Legge, along with eventual 2014 Indy Lights champion Gabby Chaves.

[44] Nevertheless, after Manor announced Pascal Wehrlein and Rio Haryanto as the team's 2016 drivers,[45] Rossi made the switch to the IndyCar Series with Andretti Autosport for the 2016 season.

[47] Because the deal was finalized so late, Rossi missed the majority of preseason testing, only getting to complete one session at Sebring International Raceway.

[48] Rossi made his IndyCar debut at the season-opening Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, qualifying in the rear of the field in 19th[49] and finishing as the highest-placed rookie in 12th.

[52] Rossi was the top rookie in qualifying for the race and led the final few laps as the cars ahead of him on track ran low on fuel and pitted.

[60] Later in the season, Rossi drove to a second-place finish in the Honda Indy Toronto after starting in eighth in what he called a "breakthrough" race for his team.

[69] Rossi argued that while he "[felt] bad" about the contact, he also believed Wickens' defense of the lead forced him into the marbles, causing his car to get loose.

"[71] Rossi's driving was further criticized by NBC Sports' Jerry Bonkowski, who opined that he "ruined what was a near-perfect day — make that weekend — for another driver.

[75] He converted the pole position into his third career win,[76] leading race runner-up and 2014 IndyCar Series champion Will Power to call Rossi "a standout of the field right now in every respect.

[96] On the ensuing restart, Rossi fell from fifth to sixth place, while also being seventh in line as Oriol Servià, a lapped car, was in front of him.

[96] Rossi was then held up and blocked by Servia (he would later call his actions "unacceptable" and "one of the most disrespectful things I've ever seen in a racecar"),[97] eventually shaking his fist at the Spanish driver as he finally passed him.

The 2021 season proved to be a greater struggle for Rossi and Andretti Autosport, as he once again failed to win any races that year and only secured one podium finish at Portland.

After struggling in the following rounds, Rossi finally broke through on July 30, 2022, when he won the Gallagher Grand Prix on the IMS Road Course and thus ended his 49-race winless drought in the IndyCar Series.

He retired with two laps remaining in Long Beach with a left-rear suspension failure, picked up an eighth-place finish in Alabama, and his first podium with Arrow McLaren at the Indy Road Course.

[107] On September 25, 2024, Ed Carpenter Racing announced that they have signed Rossi to drive for them in the 2025 season, replacing the departing Rinus VeeKay.

[120] The pair started the race on the back row of the grid in 25th,[121] finishing 19th[122] before being promoted to 18th after a penalty demoted DJR Team Penske's Fabian Coulthard from sixth to 21st.

[123] Rossi was born on September 25, 1991 in Auburn, California,[124] and raised in Nevada City, often waking up at 4 a.m. local time on Sunday mornings to watch the Formula One races in Europe.

[125] He graduated from Auburn's Forest Lake Christian High School at the age of 16 in order to begin pursuing his European racing career.

[144] Rossi's Manor Marussia F1 helmet featured a red, white, and blue design with prominent sponsorship placement for Alaska Coffee Roasting,[145] one of his longtime personal sponsors.

[148] The basic design remains similar to his helmet from his brief Formula One career, though the blue background has changed to a combination of black and gray, and additional sponsorship placements have been added to represent his partnerships with TAG Heuer and Honda.

After his Bathurst 1000 debut, Rossi auctioned off his helmet, donating the proceeds to Wires Wildlife Rescue in aid of the Australian bushfires.