The conclusion of July brings the 5th race in 4 weekends for IndyCar. The busy month has seen the number of 2025 winners double and will conclude with the series going back to California. Heading to the iconic track that is Laguna Seca, this weekend sees the Java House Grand Prix of Monterey. Who will reign victorious at this historic track?
2024 in Monterey
Coming into Monterey 2024, Will Power was leading the tight title fight – 5 points ahead of Alex Palou. The weekend went Palou’s way, however, with a pole position and a win compared to Power starting 15th and finishing 7th. This brought Palou back into the top position.
Despite Kyle Kirkwood taking the lead in the first sequence of corners, Palou was able to remain patient and manage his tyres, allowing him to retake the lead later on. In a masterful move, Alexander Rossi chose to overcut his competitors and pit later; this saw him take the final podium position.
Laguna Seca saw 4 cautions throughout the 95 laps. In total, 15 laps were run under yellow, and Palou was able to master the restarts to win. Alongside the cautions, 5 drivers failed to finish the race and the top ten were as follows:
- Alex Palou (Chip Ganassi Racing).
- Colton Herta (Andretti Global).
- Alexander Rossi (Arrow McLaren).
- Romain Grosjean (Juncos Hollinger Racing).
- Kyle Kirkwood (Andretti Global).
- Scott Dixon (Chip Ganassi Racing).
- Will Power (Team Penske).
- Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren).
- Santino Ferrucci (A. J. Foyt Enterprises).
- Marcus Ericsson (Andretti Global).
Returning to Laguna Seca
IndyCar returns to Laguna Seca much later in the year. Whilst the Monterey race was the 8th round in June in 2024, this year it makes up the 14th round.
McLaren, and Pato O’Ward, come to the Californian circuit hot off double wins in Iowa and Toronto and will be looking to further eat into Palou’s championship lead. Whereas Palou will be hoping to return to his dominant ways and recover from a less than ideal weekend abroad.
This year, Laguna Seca has teamed up with one of ECR’s sponsors, coffee brand Java House, rebranding the previously known Firestone Grand Prix to the Java House Grand Prix.
The WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Laguna Seca is one of America’s most iconic tracks and never fails to bring an electrifying race. Having hosted an array of motorsport series throughout its lifetime, it returned to the IndyCar calendar in 2019. Over the years, it has solidified its position as a fan and driver favourite.
Ahead of the weekend, hometown driver Alexander Rossi called Laguna Seca “one of the coolest permanent road courses in the world.”
With scenic surroundings, the track itself is a demanding 2.238-mile lap with 11 corners. Drivers will face 212.61 miles of racing over the 95 laps and contend with legendary corners such as the Corkscrew.
The Turn 7-8-8A combination – known as the Corkscrew – can be considered one of the most challenging turns in motorsport due to its blind apex and 18-metre elevation change. Turn 2, Andretti Hairpin, also provides its own challenges with a technical double apex.
The undulating track is characterised by its technical corners and limited run-off areas. And with a history of caution periods, we can be sure to see another incredible race here at Laguna Seca.
The schedule for the weekend is as follows. All times are in CEST.