Andretti expects strongest season yet

The 21-year-old is preparing for his fourth season in IndyCar, and he has taken part in four A1GP events so far this winter for Team USA.

While he has endured mixed fortunes while representing his country, the Andretti Green driver is convinced that racing in A1GP has been worthwhile, and he hopes to do it again next season.

"No question, it's a huge benefit," Andretti told autosport.com. "It keeps you fit and race savvy as well. When you're in a race, a mistake that would be minute in testing can be huge.

"It keeps you really sharp, and I think that's great. I've never been so excited coming into a season."

Andretti says he has also benefited from working with his IndyCar engineers in A1GP, which should enable them to get up to speed easier when the season starts at St Petersburg on April 5.

"I'm fortunate to be able to work with my IndyCar engineers all winter," he added. "So hopefully we're going to hit the ground running. I have all the trust in the world in them putting some really good cars on the track for me this year."

Andretti, who was third quickest overall at last week's IndyCar test at Homestead, is scheduled to take part in one more A1GP race this season.

"The only one I can do right now is Portugal (on April 12), and we're on for that," he said. "It's in between the first two IndyCar races, so it's going to be busy, but I think that will be a good thing."