Jack Harvey seals Indy Lights move with Schmidt Peterson

The 20-year-old Brit, who backed up his 2012 British Formula 3 title with two wins in GP3 this year, tested with the team at Sebring last month. He will race with backing from the Racing Steps Foundation.

"Everything was looking good for me in Europe and I certainly would have continued working on that path, but the Racing Steps Foundation, which manages my career, and I both decided that we wanted to try to tackle the US," Harvey said.

"Schmidt Peterson Motorsports doesn't need any introduction with their winning history in Indy Lights. We always try to associate ourselves with winners, which is exactly what this team has proven itself to be."

This year Sage Karam became the seventh driver to win the Lights crown with Schmidt since 2004, and team owner Sam Schmidt said that he hoped Harvey could play a major role in adding to the team's record.

"We have been truly blessed with our success in wins and championships over recent years, but we also understand that we now have a big target on our backs," Schmidt said.

"Our success lies in the continuity of our team members over several years and our ability to maximise each driver's potential within our programme.

"We hope to win our eighth championship and our fifth in a row next year by requiring excellence and continued improvement by our entire team, including its newest member Jack Harvey."