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Indy Lights ace Jack Harvey closing on SPM IndyCar seat for 2016

British Indy Lights ace Jack Harvey is working flat-out with Schmidt Peterson Motorsports on a deal to elevate him to the IndyCar Series

Harvey, the 2012 British Formula 3 champion, finished runner-up in the 2014 and '15 Lights campaigns with SPM, and it is understood that the team wants the 22-year-old alongside James Hinchcliffe next season.

"The only goal we're working towards is IndyCar," Harvey told Autosport.

"Taking the risk to go to America, the end goal was always IndyCar. I know we didn't win the championship, but it's crazy - I had a 60 per cent podium record."

Hinchcliffe missed the majority of 2015 through injury but will return next year, while SPM fielded James Jakes for the full season in its second car, and a third car in the Indy 500 for Conor Daly and at Sonoma for Mikhail Aleshin.

Harvey had his maiden IndyCar run-out in the Sonoma rookie test just before the 2015 season finale.

"I was quickest of those who'd never driven an IndyCar," he said, "and it suited my style - I could manipulate it the way I want to.

"I came away from that test thinking I'd ticked a few boxes, and the level of interest SPM have me suggests they want me back; I feel I could push James Hinchcliffe and even beat him."

Harvey 'graduates' this winter from the Racing Steps Foundation, which has backed his career since he moved from karts into Formula BMW in 2009.

"It's 90 per cent likely that I'd never have moved into cars without RSF, and any success I have in the future will be down to [the Foundation's] Derek Walters and Graham Sharp - I can't say how much I appreciate what they've done for me," said Harvey.

"I'm thankful that Derek is still putting a lot of work into helping me make the transition into IndyCar, and to make that step would be a massive feather in everyone's cap."

Harvey is hoping to have a deal in place soon.

"The sooner the better," he said. "If we could be in before Christmas it would be better for me and the team, so we're trying to work towards that.

"But we want to make the best deal, not just rush one - our foot's in the door and it's time to push the whole body through."

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