Alexander Rossi has been cleared to compete in Sunday's Indianapolis 500 mere days after a massive crash that forced him to undergo multiple procedures.
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"I am cleared to race," he said during Thursday's media sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. "I will have to be on crutches because it's a non-weight-bearing injury.
"Fortunately, to drive a race car, you don't have to bear weight. Range of motion is good. Pain is minimal. Swelling, as you can see, I fit into my race boot. I'm good to go."
Rossi, who had qualified second overall for the prestigious race, crashed during Monday's practice session at the 2.5-mile oval.
He had to be transported to the infield care center and then a local hospital for evaluation. ECR, the team fielding his No. 20 Chevrolet, then announced that he had undergone outpatient procedures on his right ankle and a finger on his left hand.
Alexander Rossi SPINS in Turn 2 😳
Multiple cars are collected as they try to avoid the incident. pic.twitter.com/rOBoa5cERr
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 18, 2026
ECR added that it would prepare the backup car while Rossi continued to work with IndyCar Medical Director Dr. Julia Vaizer and the IndyCar medical team. The former Indy 500 driver had every intention of taking part in Friday's practice, as well as Sunday's race.
"I had to drive in a sim," he said about the approval process. "Get in and out of the car in an appropriate amount of time. I had to show that I could react to instances quick enough with my right foot in the race car with the pedal and my boot on.
"That was done over several increments and durations with all of the stuff that will be on me. As thorough as you can be without actually being on the racetrack."
Unlike in NASCAR, IndyCar teams can go to a backup car without losing their position on the starting grid. This means he will still start between pole-winner Alex Palou and third-place qualifier David Malukas.
Rossi added that he will have a brace on his injured foot, which the team continues to work on ahead of Friday's practice session. They have to ensure that its size does not cause an issue with the pedals.
The first test for Rossi and the team will take place on Friday, May 22. The practice day known as Fast Friday will kick off at 2:30 p.m. ET. It will air on FS2 until 3 p.m. ET when it switches to FS1. The session then moves back to FS2 at 5 p.m. ET.
