Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced that Christian Lundgaard will drive with the team beginning next season.
The current F2 driver made his IndyCar debut in August at the Indianapolis road course, driving RLL’s third car in a single-race deal.
Powering to a second-row start despite never having raced in the series before, Lundgaard impressed all weekend and finished in 12th.
The 20-year-old will run the #30 entry which was vacated by Takuma Sato at the end of the 2021 season.
“I’m very excited to join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in IndyCar,” said Lundgaard. “They are a fantastic team who made me feel very welcome earlier this year when I made my debut in the series.
“They are the perfect choice and I’m happy to join them on this next chapter in my career. I was very much open minded when I raced at Indianapolis in August and the experience then only grew my hunger to give it another go, so to have the opportunity as a full-time professional racing driver is a privilege.
“I can only thank Bobby [Rahal], Piers [Phillips] and the team, as well as my investors and Alpine for putting it all together. I’m determined to repay that faith with on-track performances beginning when the season starts in February.
“Of course, this will be a completely new challenge for me, especially with oval racing, which I’ve never done before. I’d like to think I’m a fast learner, so taking this on is going to be an awesome experience.
“For now, I’m not setting too many expectations other than working hard and enjoying the racing and hopefully the results will follow. My focus is on finishing the Formula 2 Championship before fully committing to taking on IndyCar. I can’t wait for the experience to begin.”
Lundgaard’s deal is a multi-year agreement, and completes the RLL lineup in their expanded, three-car effort.
Graham Rahal and Jack Harvey will join the rookie for all 17 races of the 2022 season.
Lundgaard’s 2021 Formula 2 programme will conclude with rounds in Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi in December.
Congratulations to Christian Lundgaard, as well as to RLL! Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (RLL) is clearly making moves for 2022 that will see it entering the top tier.