Former Indianapolis 500 winner Marcus Ericsson is leaving Chip Ganassi Racing to hitch Andretti Autosport in 2024, the staff introduced Wednesday.
Ericsson, who received 4 races over 4 seasons with CGR, together with the 2022 Indy 500, will be part of an Andretti lineup with returning drivers Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood.
Wednesday’s announcement didn’t tackle the way forward for former System One driver Romain Grosjean, who’s within the remaining yr of his contract at Andretti.
“I am very pleased and proud to be becoming a member of Andretti Autosport subsequent season,” Ericsson mentioned in a press release. “Andretti is among the most legendary names in motorsports, so it’s positively a dream come true for me to hitch this staff. I need to thank Michael [Andretti] and Dan [Towriss] for placing their belief in me, and I am unable to wait to get to know everybody within the group.”
Ericsson’s future at Ganassi had been unsure all through the 2023 season. At concern was that Ericsson’s seat at Ganassi is funded by a sponsor he delivered to the staff together with assist from Swedish billionaire Finn Rausing, who has lengthy backed Ericsson’s profession. Basically, Ericsson was paying to drive the No. 8 automobile, a scenario he needed to alter.
Ganassi had held unique negotiating rights with Ericsson till August, though different groups made their curiosity clear. McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown had indicated in Might that his staff might pursue the motive force.
Ericsson will end the 2023 season with Ganassi, with the staff wishing him “all the perfect in his future endeavors” in a press release on social media.
Michael Andretti praised Ericsson as a collection front-runner whose profession the staff had monitored.
“It is no secret that we need to win races and championships and to try this we want drivers like Marcus, who’ve that pure expertise and decided drive,” Andretti mentioned in a press release. “We’re excited for the successful mindset that Marcus brings to the desk, and I am wanting to see what subsequent season has in retailer for us.”
Ericsson practically made it back-to-back Indianapolis 500 wins this yr, ending second within the Might race to Josef Newgarden.
Info from The Related Press was used on this report.