Herta: AGR Likely to Retain Line-Up

Only reigning champion Tony Kanaan is currently contracted for next season, but Herta believes that he, Dan Wheldon and Dario Franchitti will join them in the same four-car squad next season.

Team boss Michael Andretti has already expressed his desire to re-sign championship leader Wheldon, but Herta's comments indicate that the Franchitti and Herta are in the team's future plans.

"I don't want to get too far ahead of myself, I'm not signed for next year," Herta said. "But, you know, I fully hope and plan to be back with the team.

"The first thing really for the team to do is to get all four of us back under contract. They've got Tony right now. I think they're close with Dan. Hopefully they'll get Dario and I all signed up and we'll keep that consistency.

"I've not been told by the team that I won't return. I don't have any reason to doubt them. It's just a timing issue. We're just getting into September, and this is the time of year where those things start really getting sorted for next year.

"I'm at the end of a two-year contract. I don't anticipate any changes. But as they say, you know, it's not done till it's done."

All four have visited victory lane this season and helped secure a 1-2-3-4 around the streets of St Petersburg earlier this season.

"I think that's been a big part of our success," Herta added. "It is to just try and keep whatever formula it is that we've got going. It seems to be working, so let's not mess with it."