IndyCar: Five possible replacement candidates for Takuma Sato in 2018

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FORT WORTH, TX – JUNE 09: Takuma Sato, driver of the #26 Andretti Autosport Honda (Photo by Sarah Crabill/Getty Images) /

With Takuma Sato heading back to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2018 IndyCar season, here are five possible candidates to take his place at Andretti Autosport.

2017 Indianapolis 500 champion Takuma Sato, who needs to drive for a Honda team, is heading back to Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in the 2018 IndyCar season to drive for the team he nearly won the Indy 500 for back in 2012.

Since Andretti Autosport will indeed stick with Honda engines next season, Sato’s move is somewhat of a surprise given the fact that both his current team and the team he is headed to next season are Honda teams.

Because Andretti Autosport is sticking with Honda in 2018, they will likely retain 2016 Indianapolis 500 champion Alexander Rossi in the #98 car. 2014 Indianapolis 500 champion Ryan Hunter-Reay will remain in the #28 car and 2006 Indianapolis 500 runner-up Marco Andretti will remain in the #27 car.

This would still leave the team’s fourth seat open thanks to Sato’s departure from the #26 car. Who are some of the possible replacement candidates to fill that seat next season if team owner Michael Andretti does opt to continue his four-car operation?

There are only a few seats solidified next season as of this very moment, which means plenty of drivers will be on the move this offseason. We believe three of Andretti Autosport’s drivers will be back, two for sure, and we know that Josef Newgarden, Simon Pagenaud and Will Power will be back with Team Penske.

We also know that Scott Dixon will be back with Chip Ganassi Racing, Sebastien Bourdais will be back with Dale Coyne Racing, Graham Rahal will be back with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, and RLL Racing will be adding Takuma Sato.

As far as everyone else goes? It’s anybody’s guess. Let’s have a look at five possible replacements for Takuma Sato when he does officially depart from the #26 Andretti Autosport Honda following the conclusion of the 2017 season.