Alexander Rossi and Honda sign multi-year extention with Andretti

Alexander Rossi has signed a new contract which will keep him at Andretti Autosport for 2020 and beyond with Honda’s power support.

The organization declared that the 27-year-old Californian will race for the Indianapolis-based squad until 2024 at which point the team can re-negotiate a new deal.

Rossi had recently been coy about his 2020 plans amid rumours that Team Penske had been courting him. The decision allows him to channel his efforts towards claiming his first NTT IndyCar Series championship.

“It feels good to continue with Andretti Autosport,” said Rossi. “Over the past four years, we’ve built a very strong team with great chemistry and I believe that we have the tools necessary to win races and championships. I’m looking forward to not just calling this my team, but my home in the IndyCar Series. Michael [Andretti], J-F [Thormann], Doug [Bresnahan] and the entire team have been working very hard to put all the pieces of this deal together and it’s definitely a relief to have the future settled and be able to focus on the championship fight ahead of us.

NAPA Auto Parts will continue to sponsor Rossi for nine races where longtime Andretti Autosport partner AutoNation will fill out the balance of the season. NAPA teamed up with Rossi for the 2016 Indianapolis 500 where he scored the first of his seven IndyCar wins.

“We’ve been working hard on this, and I’m happy to see everything come together,” said Andretti Autosport Chairman and CEO, Michael Andretti. “Since 2016, we’ve built a strong relationship with NAPA AUTO PARTS – they’re such a natural fit for the series, Alexander and for the team and we’re pleased to be able to continue working with them into 2020 and beyond.

“We first met AutoNation through Ryan Hunter-Reay – and we can’t thank Ryan enough for his support and efforts in helping the continued growth of that relationship. It’s been exciting to see AutoNation grow within the sport, and to see them now welcome Alexander to their family is just great.” 

Rossi burst onto the IndyCar scene in 2016 winning the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a brilliant fuel-conserving run to the bricks. He has come to life the last three seasons grabbing six wins and finishing runner-up to Scott Dixon in last year’s championship.

His sight had been set on a Formula 1 career before coming to IndyCar in 2016 when he served as a test driver for Caterham and Manor/Marussia. He started five Grands Prix for Manor in 2015 before taking the deal with Andretti.