Indy 500 winner Rossi re-signs with Andretti and Herta in IndyCar

Rossi joined the team earlier this year, winning the Indy 500 on his way to 11th in the standings and rookie of the year honours, and has penned what he says is a one-year deal with options for multiple seasons.

The entry will again be run as a joint programme between Andretti and Bryan Herta Autosprt, an alliance forged just weeks before the start of the 2016 campaign.

"What an incredible eight months this has been," Rossi said.

"From getting the opportunity to join the IndyCar Series in February, to winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 in May and now re-signing with Andretti Autosport.

"I am incredibly proud and grateful to be able to have the opportunity to work with a team of this calibre as we chase after more race wins and continue to make our mark in this amazing championship.

"We have a lot of work ahead of us and we are already completely focused on being back at the sharp end of the grid where we belong."

The 24-year-old will continue alongside Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti with the Honda-powered squad, which is still working on its fourth entry, driven by Carlos Munoz this year.

"Alexander showed tremendous growth this year and we are excited to welcome him back to the team," team owner Michael Andretti said.

"In his first IndyCar season, Alexander was able to form trusting relationships with the team's engineers, mechanics and his teammates and that itself is a great foundation to begin 2017.

"We also know he is competitive and can win races. Continuity plays a big role in the success of our programs and being able to confirm that Alexander is remaining with the team is incredible."