Its now official Takuma Sato will join Andretti Autosport for the 2017 Verizon IndyCar Series season. This now brings the remaining seats for 2017 in short supply and follows the announcement of the A.J.Foyt line up recently and this much rumoured change for Sato.
Sato will take the wheel of the No. 26 Honda-powered machine for Andretti Autosport next year in the Verizon IndyCar Series.
“I think joining the team will be a new and positive opportunity for Takuma,” said Michael Andretti, CEO of Andretti Autosport. “He’s not yet had the chance to be part of a larger team where the drivers collaborate; our four drivers and team of engineers working together has bred success for us in the past and has helped many drivers develop on track. Takuma has strong racing experience and we are looking forward to providing a team atmosphere where he can continue to grow, develop and be successful.”
Before joining the American-based open-wheel circuit in 2010, Sato made 90 career starts in Formula One, finishing on the podium at the United States Grand Prix in 2004. Now with 118 IndyCar Series starts, the Japanese driver holds five IndyCar podiums, five pole positions and one race win. He had raced for A.J. FoytRacing since 2013 before leaving the team at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
“I am extremely excited that we were able to work out a deal with Michael and Andretti Autosport,” said Sato. “With Honda an integral part of Andretti Autosport, it seemed like a great fit. The team has proven year after year that they are ultracompetitive on all types of circuits. Particularly the speed that team has shown in recent years at the Indy 500 were just incredible. I am also very impressed on how aggressively they have addressed their needs for 2017, and am really looking forward to working with my new environment and can’t wait to get started.”
“One of the things I am looking forward to the most about working with Takuma is his open personality. He is very friendly and encouraging to work with, his personality will be a strong addition to the team and I think he will work very well alongside Ryan, Alexander and Marco,” said Andretti. Sato completes the four-car Verizon IndyCar Series field for Andretti as he joins Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 DHL Honda), Alexander Rossi (No. 98 Honda) and Marco Andretti (No. 27 hhgregg Honda).
Photo via IndyCar Media and Press content via Andretti Autosport.