Andretti and Herta to continue to field joint IndyCar entry in 2017

Bryan Herta Autosport competed full-time in IndyCar from 2012-2015, but merged with Andretti Autosport to run a single car for Alexander Rossi this season.

The Andretti Herta Autosport entry won the Indianapolis 500, with Rossi also taking rookie of the year honours for the season.

"We're happy to have Bryan back with the team for 2017," said Andretti.

"His team fits well into our family and we are excited to see continued growth and success with the partnership.

"Bryan is a long-time friend and a true asset to our organisation. We are eager to see what next season has in store."

Both Andretti and Herta are attempting to retain 25-year-old Rossi, who is also in contention for a move to Penske.

But Herta is still hopeful Rossi will stay on.

"I'm optimistic," Herta told Autosport. "There are obviously i's to dot and t's to cross, as they say.

"We all want the same thing and that is to continue in much the same fashion next year with Alexander Rossi driving."

Rossi was non-committal about his future, but after finishing 11th in the championship with that Indy 500 victory his only top-four finish, he is anxious to achieve more consistent results.

"We'll see," Rossi told Autosport when asked if he would stay at the team.

"I better be a lot better next year. I feel like I have a lot to prove in this championship and I feel like I have the capabilities to be at the front way more consistently than we were.

"That has to be the goal and if I am back next year I'll expect huge steps forward from myself and the people around me."

Herta is confident the Andretti Herta Autosport entry will take a step forward next season.

"We have a lot of exciting plans for the team throughout the off-season that I know can only make us more competitive for the 2017 season," said Herta.

"Last year came together quite late, but this year we've committed early and that can only help better prepare us for next season."