Ryan Hunter-Reay signs new Andretti Autosport IndyCar deal

The 2012 IndyCar champion and '14 Indianapolis 500 winner still had another year left on his deal, but agreed to new terms at Watkins Glen before signing the paperwork during last weekend's Sonoma finale.

As Honda struggled against Chevrolet this year, Hunter-Reay endured his first winless campaign since 2009, but the 35-year-old said he "didn't want to test the market".

Having finished the year 12th in the standings, he rued Indy and Pocono - where he was taken out, and had an electronics glitch respectively - as missed opportunities.

"Both of those races we were doing really well," Hunter-Reay said.

"One, I should have won and the other I finished third. I'm a passionate person and I'm so competitive.

"I know when I get that programme sorted across the board we'll be contending for championships. Right now we are contending for race wins.

"To know the next four years of my career are locked in is really priceless."

By the 2020 season, Hunter-Reay will have spent 11 years with the Andretti outfit.

"I can't express how pleased we are to be able to announce that Ryan will be returning through 2020," owner Michael Andretti said.

"Ryan is one of the top - if not the top - driver in the series, and has been a leader within the team since he started with us in 2010, winning in only his third race.

"Ryan has won 13 races, an IndyCar championship and the Indy 500 with Andretti Autosport, and I have no doubt this partnership will put us in a position for further success."