New Indy Pro 2000 champion Louis Foster will step up and race for the multi-title winning Andretti Autosport team in Indy Lights for 2023.
British driver Foster, 19, took the Indy Pro 2000 series by storm in what was his rookie season and his first racing in the USA in 2022, where he won on ovals and street circuits the likes of which he had never competed on before, and wrapped up the championship two races early.
He scored seven wins, five poles and won the championship by 61 points.
Andretti Autosport has become the gold standard in the Indy Lights series and leads this year's teams' standings with two races remaining.
It is an important series to team owner Michael Andretti who is passionate about helping young drivers to succeed.
“As a driver, you always want to be in the best teams and that’s certainly the case here,” says Foster, who is backed by Copart, a global leader in online auto auctions, and Florida-based luxury Italian garden umbrella brand Poggesi.
“Even growing up in the UK, the name Andretti is one you come to learn very quickly in motorsport and that’s testament to what the likes of Mario and Michael achieved in their own racing careers. Knowing the team is run and supported by legendary drivers is certainly a plus.
“Not only that, but the Andretti family’s commitment to bringing on and helping young talent means this was the first choice for me in 2023.
“I really hope I can make Michael and my new team proud by getting up to speed as quickly as we were able to in Indy Pro 2000 this season.
“Of course, I know Lights will be a massive step up again, but I’m ready for the challenge and confident with the resources this team has that I will be prepared and ready.
“I’m looking forward to testing with my new team-mates, engineers, mechanics and everybody else at the team that make this organisation great.”
Andretti Autosport has expanded in recent years to add Formula E, Extreme E and even Mexican touring cars to its Indy Lights and IndyCar teams.
It has also made its ambition to add an American F1 team to the grid clear over the last 12 months.
“The area the team covers is incredible,” adds Foster.
“There’s not many teams where you can walk in to the shop and speak to so many people in so many series. There’s so much knowledge to tap into.
“I’m going to be 100% focused on my Indy Lights effort, but should the opportunity arise, it’s going to be invaluable experience to speak to the Andretti IndyCar drivers and see how the team works to gain some experience for the future.”
Michael Andretti, Andretti Autosport CEO, said:
“We are excited to have Louis join our team for 2023. He is just coming off of his Indy Pro 2000 championship; we are looking forward carrying that momentum into his rookie Indy Lights season. I think he will adjust quickly, and I look forward to seeing him take the next step in his American racing career.”
Foster - based in LA - moved from a successful career in Europe to the US in 2022 with the goal of becoming an NTT IndyCar Series driver.
The prize for winning the Indy Lights championship is a scholarship worth over $1 million, that guarantees three races in the NTT IndyCar Series the following year including the prestigious Indy 500.
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