ANDRETTI OFFERS NEW INDYCAR HORIZONS FOR SATO

Takuma Sato to Pilot No. 26 Andretti Autosport Honda
for 2017 IndyCar Campaign

Racing
veteran Takuma Sato will take the wheel of the No. 26 Honda-powered machine as
he joins the Andretti Autosport stable for the team’s 2017 Verizon IndyCar
Series effort. Sato’s open-wheel experience, paired with the veteran driving force
of Andretti, position the four-time championship team as top competitors amongst
the IndyCar field. 

“I think joining the team will be a new
and positive opportunity for Takuma,”
said Michael Andretti, CEO, Andretti Autosport. “He’s not yet had the chance to be part of a larger team where the
drivers collaborate; our four drivers and team of engineers working together
has bred success for us in the past and has helped many drivers develop on
track. Takuma has strong racing experience and we are looking forward to
providing a team atmosphere where he can continue to grow, develop and be
successful.” 

Before
joining the American-based open-wheel circuit in 2010, Sato made 90 career race
starts in Formula One, finishing on the podium at the United States Grand Prix
in 2004. Now with 118 IndyCar Series starts, the Japanese driver holds five
IndyCar podiums, five pole positions and one race win.  

“I am extremely excited that we were
able to work out a deal with Michael and Andretti Autosport,” said Sato. “With Honda an integral part of Andretti Autosport, it seemed like a
great fit. The team has proven year after year that they are ultracompetitive
on all types of circuits. Particularly the speed that team has shown in recent
years at the Indy 500 were just incredible. I am also very impressed on how
aggressively they have addressed their needs for 2017, and am really looking
forward to working with my new environment and can’t wait to get started.”

Added
Andretti, “One of the things I am looking
forward to the most about working with Takuma is his open personality. He is
very friendly and encouraging to work with, his personality will be a strong
addition to the team and I think he will work very well alongside Ryan,
Alexander and Marco.” 

Sato
completes the four-car Verizon IndyCar Series field for Andretti as he joins
Ryan Hunter-Reay (No. 28 DHL Honda), Alexander Rossi (No. 98 Honda) and Marco
Andretti (No. 27 hhgregg Honda). The 2017 season goes green on the streets of
St. Petersburg, Florida, March 12.