James Hinchcliffe stays with SPM to partner Robert Wickens in IndyCar

Hinchcliffe had been expected to remain at the team for 2018, with SPM enhancing its relationship with Honda ahead of the new season.

He says that the team's new status with Honda in 2018 and an aero reset can help SPM next year.

"Not only am I really excited to be able to say I'll be back with SPM for next year and beyond, but I am also really looking forward to being team-mates with one of my oldest friends," he said.

"Robbie and I grew up racing against one another, eventually took different paths, me staying in North America in open-wheel cars and him going off to Europe in sportscars, but it's pretty neat that we both ended up here and we get to live our dream of being professional racing drivers, together on the same team.

"2018 is going to be a great year for the SPM organisation, from having Robbie here to the team's new partnership with Honda and the 2018 aero kit."

Team co-owner Ric Peterson says he is excited to field the first all-Canadian line-up since Paul Tracy and Patrick Carpentier in 2004.

"We're all very pleased to have Robert on board, and not just because he's another Canadian," he said.

"He's obviously someone who has been on our radar for some time now, and we're excited about this new chapter in the SPM organisation.

"We've been building a lot of momentum within the team and hope this latest addition will be a great next step as we move forward.

"I'm also really proud that we'll be able to represent 'Team Canada' and be able to showcase two great Canadian athletes."