Photo: Gavin Baker Photography / Road to Indy
Alex Peroni will miss the remainder of the Indy Lights season as he switches his focus to a return to racing in Europe.
The Australian moved to the United States this year to compete in Indy Lights for Carlin with Jay Howard Driver Development, and has one podium from his 14 races in the series. He will miss the remaining six races of 2021.
Before this year he contested two FIA Formula 3 Championship campaigns, picking up three podiums in his second season after returning from a back injury, and was a winner in Pau and Monaco in the Formula Renault Eurocup.
“I’m looking forward to some exciting opportunities that 2022 has in store for me and a return to racing where I can mix it with the frontrunners,” said Peroni.
“This year hasn’t lived up to our expectations in racing performance, however I’ve really enjoyed visiting the US for the first time and living here for the past seven months.
“I’d like to thank all of the incredibly friendly and welcoming people in the US that I met on my journey. The warm welcomes I received at race events in particular were fantastic.”
Peroni’s exit leaves the Indy Lights grid provisionally at 11 cars for next weekend’s Portland round, as Nikita Lastochkin and Toby Sowery have also pulled out. However HMD Motorsports has already found a replacement for Lastochkin in Indy Pro 2000 race-winner Manuel Sulaiman. Carlin will continue to run Christian Bogle in its second car.
“I wish Carlin the best for their future in Indy Lights and I thank them for the opportunity provided to me this year,” Peroni added.
“I’m also grateful to everyone involved in the Road to Indy organisation who did so much to help me make the leap to US racing.”