Banned F2 racer and Haas protege Santino Ferrucci back to IndyCar
Haas Formula 1 development driver Santino Ferrucci will return to IndyCar for the two final races of 2018 after his controversial exit from Formula 2
Dale Coyne Racing is expanding to a three-car line-up to field Ferrucci alongside Sebastien Bourdais and Pietro Fittipaldi at Portland and Sonoma next month.
Ferrucci was given a two-round ban by F2 for colliding with Trident team-mate and fellow Haas junior Arjun Maini on the cool-down lap at Silverstone in July, and subsequently dropped by the team.
Earlier this year the 20-year-old American had made his IndyCar debut with Coyne at the Detroit double-header as one of Fittipaldi's injury stand-ins.
"I truly enjoyed my time with Dale Coyne Racing in Detroit earlier this season and I couldn't be more excited to be back with them for a couple more races as I look to the future and enter the next chapter of my career," said Ferrucci.
Ferrucci retired from his first IndyCar race after a hit from Charlie Kimball before finishing 20th on his second attempt but only after a collision and spat with Spencer Pigot.
DCR team owner Dale Coyne said Ferrucci had made a good impression on his previous appearance.
"We were very impressed with Santino at Detroit this year, and not just by his performance behind the wheel, but also by his professionalism and maturity outside of the race car," Coyne said.
"We've had lengthy discussions with Santino in the past few months and we're excited to have him back for the final two rounds of the season."
IndyCar is introducing a new F1-superlicence-inspired system for new drivers for 2019, and Autosport understands Ferrucci would currently have difficulty obtaining a full-season licence under the planned criteria.
How DTM prepared Robert Wickens to star in IndyCar
Pocono IndyCar: Will Power matches AJ Foyt with 53rd pole
IndyCar racer Daly to make NASCAR Cup debut at Charlotte Roval
IndyCar Series driver Conor Daly, who has made a handful of starts in NASCAR, will make his Cup Series debut next weekend at the Charlotte Roval.
Foyt signs Indy Lights race winner Pedersen for 2023
Benjamin Pedersen will graduate to IndyCar next season after signing a multi-year deal with AJ Foyt Racing.
NASCAR legend Jimmie Johnson retires from full-time racing
Seven-time NASCAR champion and IndyCar sophomore Jimmie Johnson has announced he is to step down from full-time racing in 2023.
McLaren IndyCar management changes ongoing as team targets Kyle Busch for Indy 500
Arrow McLaren SP is expected to reveal its IndyCar management structure within the next seven days, and is also targeting Kyle Busch for a fourth car entry for the Indianapolis 500.
How Ericsson achieved Indy immortality as Ganassi's main man stumbled
Chip Ganassi Racing team was strong again in the Indianapolis 500, with poleman Scott Dixon and reigning champion Alex Palou leading almost three quarters of the race between them. But when dominator Dixon was penalised for pitlane speeding, ex-Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson stepped up to score the biggest win of his career and seize the IndyCar points lead
Ranking the top 10 IndyCar drivers of 2021
In an enthralling 2021 IndyCar campaign, the series bounced back from its COVID-19 truncated year prior and Alex Palou defeated both the established order and his fellow young guns to clinch a maiden title. It capped a remarkable season with plenty of standout performers
How F1's other IndyCar exile finally unlocked his potential
Romain Grosjean's swashbuckling rookie year in IndyCar captured the imagination of many in 2021. But another ex-Formula 1 driver whose potential was masked by five years of toil in, at best, middling machinery also enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 - winning twice and finishing sixth in points. Here's how Marcus Ericsson finally delivered on his promise
How Ganassi's relentless new champion outfoxed IndyCar's best
IndyCar sophomore Alex Palou stunned by overcoming team-mate Scott Dixon and the rest of a white-hot field in 2021. He was consistently fast and crucially showed a level head, rebounding well from setbacks to put himself in a near unassailable position entering the final round
Have Harvey and RLL formed IndyCar’s next winning match-up?
Despite appearing to have an IndyCar job for life with Meyer Shank Racing, Jack Harvey’s departure and move to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing sparked plenty of debate. However, Harvey's and RLL's combined strengths could prove to be a winning combination - if they get the balance right
Remembering Dan Wheldon and his last and most amazing IndyCar win
Saturday 16 October marks the 10th anniversary of Dan Wheldon’s death. David Malsher-Lopez pays tribute, then asks Wheldon’s race engineer from 2011, Todd Malloy, to recall that magical second victory at the Indianapolis 500
Why Kyle Kirkwood is America's new IndyCar ace-in-waiting
Kyle Kirkwood, the record-setting junior formula driver, sealed the Indy Lights championship last weekend. But despite an absurdly strong junior career and scholarship money, his next move is far from clear
Why IndyCar title glory is just the start for Ganassi's new star
Newly-crowned IndyCar champion Alex Palou has been lauded as a complete driver and veteran-like in only his second season. The 24-year-old is still in the early days of his career, but the parallels are there for all to see with his six-time champion Chip Ganassi Racing team-mate who has been CGR's team leader since 2014