IndyCar: Alexander Rossi re-signs with Andretti Autosport

By Asher Fair | Sep 1, 2017

AVONDALE, AZ - APRIL 29: Alexander Rossi, driver of the #27 Andretti Herta Autosport Honda greets fans as he is introduced to the Desert Diamond West Valley Phoenix Grand Prix at Phoenix International Raceway on April 29, 2017 in Avondale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Alexander Rossi is set to return to Andretti Autosport for his third career IndyCar season in 2018, as he just re-signed with the team.

Hours after Andretti Autosport announced that they would be sticking with Honda engines in the 2018 IndyCar season, the announcement was made that the team re-signed 2016 Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi, 25, to drive the #98 Honda for the third consecutive season next season.

This means Andretti Autosport’s lineup for the 2018 season is 75% filled if team owner Michael Andretti does, indeed, plan on continuing his four-car operation. Marco Andretti and Ryan Hunter-Reay having already been confirmed as the drivers of the #27 and #28 Honda cars, respectively, once again.

Andretti Autosport’s one ride that remains open, and highly desired, for next season is the #26 Honda currently driven by Takuma Sato, who is returning to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing next season. The 2017 Indianapolis 500 champion previously drove for the team in the 2012 season.

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Seeing as how Rossi greatly preferred to stay with a Honda team, it was no surprise to see him re-sign with Andretti Autosport after the team announced that they would stick with Honda in 2018.

But Sato needed to stay with a Honda team, yet he left Andretti Autosport despite the fact that they ultimately ended up sticking with Honda.

So how close was Rossi from leaving his ride in the #98 Honda to sign with another team? According to him, he wasvery close.

"“Very close. We’re talking hours, I would say.”"

However, we don’t have to worry about that now, as Rossi will be driving the #98 Honda for Andretti Autosport yet again in his third career IndyCar season next year. And he could not be more thrilled about it.

"“I’m thrilled to be able to stay at Andretti and continue on with a group of people that frankly, I feel a part of the family and a part of the team. That’s a very unique situation for me to be in. Considering they gave me my shot in IndyCar and we won a 500 together, it makes a lot of sense from a professional and personal standpoint to stay where we are.”"

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Do you think re-signing with Andretti Autosport was the right move for Alexander Rossi? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to follow along with Beyond the Flag for the latest news, opinions and analysis stemming from a number of different motorsports series. You don’t want to miss any of it. Also be sure to follow Beyond the Flag on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.