Ed Jones joins Chip Ganassi Racing for 2018 IndyCar season

Ed Jones will race with Chip Ganassi Racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series through the 2018 season, moving up from Dale Coyne Racing after finishing as the championship's top rookie this year.

Jones, 22, stepped up to IndyCar in 2017 after winning the Indy Lights title the previous year, signing to backmarkers Dale Coyne Racing on a full-season deal.

Jones enjoyed a strong maiden IndyCar campaign, finishing third in the Indianapolis 500 on his debut appearance in the race, but missed out on Rookie of The Year honours to McLaren Formula 1 driver Fernando Alonso.

The Dubai-based Briton did capture the overall rookie prize for the season after finishing 14th in the final drivers' standings, impressing Ganassi bosses enough to take a seat alongside four-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon.

"This is truly an honour to have the opportunity to drive for Chip, his organization and to represent NTT DATA," Jones said. "Chip runs one of the biggest and best motor racing teams in the world, and equally as important, is a proven winner across each series he competes in from Le Mans to Indianapolis and beyond.

"I want to get up to speed quickly and learn as much as I can. Scott is a legend in the sport, and to get the chance to team with him is an amazing opportunity.

"I think I’m joining the team at a perfect time when the playing field is being reset with common aero kits, and everyone is adjusting to a new formula. I’m really looking forward to getting in the car and getting underway with our 2018 campaign."

Jones joins Ganassi following the team's decision to downsize its programme from four to two cars, with Tony Kanaan, Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball all departing the operation.

The second Ganassi seat had been expected to go to Porsche LMP1 driver Brendon Hartley, only for the New Zealander's recent F1 showing with Toro Rosso to seemingly scupper the deal and open the door for Jones to move up the grid.