IndyCar: Alexander Rossi confirmed at Andretti Autosport for 2020 and beyond

Andretti Autosport have confirmed that Alexander Rossi will be returning to the team for the 2020 IndyCar season and beyond.

After months of speculation, Andretti Autosport put an end to the Alexander Rossi to Team Penske talks by confirming that their superstar driver will be returning to the team for the 2020 IndyCar season and beyond on a new multi-year contract agreement.

Rossi drove for Andretti Herta Autosport in the 2016 and 2017 seasons before switching rides with Marco Andretti at Andretti Autosport ahead of the 2018 season.

After two seasons of driving the #98 Honda, the 27-year-old Nevada City, California has driven the #27 Honda, and he is slated to continue to do so, as the team also confirmed that they will be sticking with Honda engines as opposed to realigning with Chevrolet for the first time since the 2013 season.

Andretti Autosport confirmed this news on their Twitter account.

#DECISIONMADE pic.twitter.com/rzzmSXFA6i
— Andretti IndyCar & Indy NXT (@AndrettiIndy) July 27, 2019

The rumors can be put to rest.@AlexanderRossi is returning.
The team will remain under @HondaRacing_HPD
power.
@NAPAKnowHow & @AutoNation
will provide primary sponsorship
for 2020 & beyond.#DECISIONMADE #ALLANDRETTI

READ MORE: https://t.co/XU74id4Dge pic.twitter.com/i0xxAMJqrY
— Andretti IndyCar & Indy NXT (@AndrettiIndy) July 27, 2019

NAPA Auto Parts is also set to return to Andretti Autosport as a primary sponsor of Rossi’s #27 Honda to continue an era that began with his 2016 Indianapolis 500 victory, and AutoNation is also now set to share the primary sponsorship of his car.

Here is what Rossi had to say about returning to Andretti Autosport for the 2020 season and beyond, according to the team’s website.

"“It feels good to continue with Andretti Autosport. Over the past four years, we’ve built a very strong team with great chemistry and I believe that we have the tools necessary to win races and championships. I’m looking forward to not just calling this my team, but my home in the IndyCar Series. Michael [Andretti], J-F [Thormann], Doug [Bresnahan] and the entire team have been working very hard to put all the pieces of this deal together and it’s definitely a relief to have the future settled and be able to focus on the championship fight ahead of us.“It’s fantastic to have NAPA AUTO PARTS, AutoNation and Honda supporting the 27 program. I’ve had the pleasure of developing a great relationship with both NAPA and Honda and couldn’t imagine not having them in my corner. AutoNation has always had a strong partnership with the team through Ryan [Hunter-Reay] and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to represent the Drive Pink campaign and getting to know the AutoNation team better.”"

Here is what team owner Michael Andretti had to say about the matter.

"“We’ve been working hard on this, and I’m happy to see everything come together. Since 2016, we’ve built a strong relationship with NAPA AUTO PARTS – they’re such a natural fit for the series, Alexander and for the team and we’re pleased to be able to continue working with them into 2020 and beyond. We first met AutoNation through Ryan Hunter-Reay – and we can’t thank Ryan enough for his support and efforts in helping the continued growth of that relationship. It’s been exciting to see AutoNation grow within the sport, and to see them now welcome Alexander to their family is just great.”"