Photo: Andretti Global
Seb Murray will remain in Indy Nxt for a second season next year, as part of Andretti Global’s line-up.
This year he made the surprise step up to Indy Nxt from fourth-tier single-seaters, having previously raced in Britain’s GB3 championship. He made the move with Andretti Cape, a tie-up between Andretti and Cape Motorsports.
In his rookie campaign on IndyCar’s support bill, Murray came 13th in the standings with two top-10 finishes. The second of those was a fifth place at Laguna Seca, his best race result. He missed one round due to concussion.
“I am thrilled and excited to join Andretti Global for my second year in Indy Nxt,” said the 18-year-old Scot.
“I really enjoyed my debut season with Andretti Cape and look forward to building on the knowledge and experience I have gained during the 2025 season. Andretti Global is a proven race-winning team, and I look forward to continuing my development with them in 2026.”
Rob Edwards, who is Andretti’s Indy Nxt team principal but will become chief performance officer of the parent TWG Motorsports company in January while Ron Ruzewski takes over his current role, commented on Murray’s programme.
“Seb made huge strides in his rookie season with Andretti Cape,” he said. “He had limited open-wheel experience before last season, but impressed us all with his approach and maturity, both inside and outside the car. We are excited to have Seb continue to grow with us as part of the Andretti Indy Nxt team and look forward to that first taste of champagne together.”
Murray is Andretti Global’s first confirmed driver for 2026, while Andretti Cape has declared it will enter two cars and one will be driven full-time by Nikita Johnson.
The 17-year-old has plentiful single-seater experience, having been YACademy Winter Series champion and third in USF Juniors in 2022, then 2023 USF2000 runner-up, 2024 USF Pro 2000 runner-up and 11th in GB3 as a part-timer and becoming its youngest ever race winner.
This year he has raced part-time in GB3 again, and currently sits 15th in the points with two podiums. At the start of 2025 he came third in Formula Regional Oceania with one victory, and joined HMD Motorsports for two Indy Nxt rounds. He finished seventh on his third and final start.
Since then he has gained further European experience by racing in the FIA Formula 3 Championship. He debuted with DAMS, then did three rounds with Hitech GP. A 13th place was his best result.
“They have demonstrated the ability to win and to develop young drivers, such as Kyle Kirkwood and Jak Crawford,” the moustacheoed Johnson said of Cape. “I am focused on working with the team to win and advance my career.”
His new team manager Dominic Cape added “Nikita has been gaining great experience in New Zealand and Europe” and “having him compete for Cape Motorsports adds a solid, fast driver to our programme” and “I expect to see Nikita at the front of the field”.