IndyCar rookie Kyle Kirkwood will replace Alexander Rossi next season at Andretti Autosport, the team that have developed Floridian but don’t have a seat for him as Kirkwood is ready for the big leagues.
Kirkwood has won every level in the IndyCar ladder system and was last year’s Indy Lights champion. But Michael Andretti had a full lineup this year, so Kirkwood signed a one-year contract to drive for AJ Foyt Racing.
Rossi is expected to announce that he has signed with Arrow McLaren SP before this season even begins, leaving seat number 27 to Andretti to bring in his prized young driver for 2023. .
“We really enjoyed having Kyle as part of our Indy Lights team and he’s off to a strong start in IndyCar,” said Michael Andretti. “I think he will bring a fresh perspective and will be competitive. We look forward to helping him further his career.”
Kirkwood won 10 races last year driving for Andretti in the Indy Lights to win the title. He’s made mediocre Foyt cars competitive across six races this season, with a career-best 10th place finish at Long Beach. Kirkwood finished 17th – he started in 28th – at the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday.
The 23-year-old is also an endurance racer for the Vasser Sullivan Racing motorsport program and Toyota’s most beloved. He’s set to drive a Lexus for Vasser Sullivan on Saturday in Detroit as he does double duty ahead of Sunday’s IndyCar race.
Toyota wanted to keep Kirkwood in its program but did not compete in IndyCar; Kirkwood wants to continue driving a Lexus for Vasser Sullivan this year.
For now, he must take the opportunity to return to Andretti and compete for the win on IndyCar.
“Andretti Autosport is the place I call home and I really feel like family,” he said. “I have so much loyalty to the team, and it means a lot to me to be given this opportunity by Michael and team Andretti. I’ve worked incredibly hard this season and will continue to work hard. just over every day for the AJ Foyt team.
“I would like to thank the entire team at AJ Foyt Racing for giving me the opportunity to compete. The team in number 14 was amazing and I am incredibly grateful to them for all the amazing experiences we have been able to have. shared together so far in this season.”
Kirkwood will be funded by AutoNation, a partner of Andretti for the past eight years.
AutoNation has been one of Rossi’s sponsors for seven years since he left Formula One and joined Andretti in IndyCar. Rossi won seven races with Andretti, including his 100th run of the Indianapolis 500 in Rossi’s 2016 rookie season.
Andretti said: “Alexander is a great candidate for us, and we would love to have him as part of the team for seven seasons. “He won races and became the leader in the team, but all careers and all teams evolved, and we decided together that it was time for each of us to move on. .
“I’m sure he will have a continued, successful IndyCar career and we wish him the best.”
