Photo: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Andretti Autosport has announced its fourth Indy Lights driver ahead of this weekend’s St. Petersburg opener, with Tristan Charpentier joining the team.
One-time Super Formula starter Charpentier is a podium finisher in BRDC British Formula 3 and race-winner in French Formula 4, and has tested with Andretti several times during the Lights off-season.
The deal that was announced covers six races across three events for the Frenchman: St. Petersburg, Barber Motorsports Park and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.
He joins 2019 Indy Pro 2000 champion Kyle Kirkwood, Danial Frost and Lights race-winner Robert Megennis at the team.
?Andretti Autosport is excited to welcome Tristan to our Indy Lights team,? said Andretti team president JF Thormann.
“Tristan has tested for us throughout the off-season and has shown impressive speed. We know he is competitive and that he will be a contender this weekend in St. Petersburg.
Charpentier, 19, added: ?I am very happy and super excited to be joining a team such as Andretti Autosport.
?It is a massive opportunity and I am really looking forward to it. I am very grateful that this opportunity has come together. I want to say thank you to all the people that made this possible and to Andretti Autosport.”
There are now 10 cars set to start the Indy Lights season, a number that will drop to nine after the first third of the season unless Charpentier extends his deal with Andretti. The Freedom 100 on IMS’s oval also usually attracts one or two additional entries.