Photo Credit: sports.usatoday.com
Alexander Rossi, the 2016 Verizon IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year award winner, has signed a multi-year deal with Andretti Autosport, a team owned by Michael Andretti, after a rookie season in which he finished in 11th place in the IndyCar championship standings and won the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500.
It was thought that Rossi may be a potential replacement for the veteran Juan Pablo Montoya when he leaves Team Penske this offseason, but that open seat will likely be going to Josef Newgarden, who continues to impress fans and other drivers more and more each season. It was also considered a possibility that Rossi may go overseas and join a Formula One team, but that will not be happening now either.
Rossi drove the Andretti Autosport car owned by Bryan Herta Autosport this past season, as Andretti and Herta formed a partnership at the beginning of the season that was actually just extended through next season. It is unknown whether Rossi will be back in Herta’s car or if he well be in one of Andretti’s cars, since it has been made public knowledge that Marco Andretti, who has driven for his father Michael’s team in each of his 11 seasons in IndyCar, may need a change of scenery after an awful 2016 season, and a switch to Herta’s car may best suit him.
Regardless of what specific car he is in, Rossi will find himself in one of four cars that belong to the Andretti Autosport team since Andretti and Herta have just made it official that their partnership that they began this past season will be continuing through the 2017 season at the very least.
-Asher Fair
SportsPress 