Andretti Autosport has confirmed Ryan Hunter-Reay will remain with the team for the 2021 NTT IndyCar Series campaign.
The 2012 IndyCar champion, 40, is set to compete in his 15th IndyCar season, making him one of the more tenured drivers on the grid.
There have been a significant amount of driver changes for next season announced over the past couple months, leading to extra speculation being directed towards any driver without a confirmed ride for next year.
However, it seems that Hunter-Reay’s consistent driving has convinced team owner Michael Andretti to extend the already long-lived relationship.
Hunter-Reay will also remain associated with long-term partner in the form of logistics giant, DHL, which has been his title sponsor since 2011.
The 2021 season will mark the 12th consecutive year Hunter-Reay has been paired with Andretti Autosport. Only Marco Andretti, who has raced for his family’s team for his entire 15-year career, has a longer stint with his father’s famed IndyCar team.
Hunter-Reay will be part of what is expected to remain a five-car squad for next season, with Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta having been confirmed with the team earlier in the year.
The 2014 Indy 500 winner was only able to grab one podium in 2020 at the second round of the Mid-Ohio double-header, but a relatively consistent led campaign eventually led to a top-10 points finish, just two points behind team-mate, Rossi.
“I’m eager to get to work and honoured to represent both DHL and Andretti Autosport yet again,” said Hunter-Reay.
“DHL has been one of the longest-tenured primary sponsors in IndyCar history and that yellow 28 car has become one of the iconic IndyCar liveries; for that, I am extremely grateful.
“I want nothing more than to add a second Indy 500 win to our accomplishments and earn the title of IndyCar Champion for a second time as well. Coupled with the DHL partnership, AutoNation has also been vital to my career over the past nine years and I’m very proud for the opportunity to continue as a Drive Pink brand ambassador as well.
“2020 was a pretty unconventional season, and we left the year with unfinished business. Overall, as a team, we’re focused on extracting the maximum potential from the speed we had in 2020.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Andretti Autosport into 2021, powered by our No. 28 champion, Ryan Hunter-Reay,” added Mike Parra, CEO of DHL Express Americas.
“We’ve shared an incredible history with Ryan throughout his entire IndyCar career, as he has been an amazing DHL brand ambassador. Ryan has helped to further elevate our brand and engage our employees while he continues to excite racing fans.”
The 2021 NTT IndyCar season is currently scheduled to kick off on April 11 at Barber Motorsports Park in Alabama.
