IndyCar: Colton Herta to drive for Andretti Autosport in 2020

Colton Herta is set to drive for Andretti Autosport as their fifth driver in a Harding Steinbrenner Racing-backed entry in the 2020 IndyCar season.

Colton Herta drove for Andretti Autosport in the 2017 and 2018 Indy Lights seasons through a partnership with Steinbrenner Racing, owned by George Michael Steinbrenner IV, before he was promoted to IndyCar ahead of the 2019 season.

Herta was promoted to IndyCar as the driver of the #88 Honda for Harding Steinbrenner Racing, the team formed when Steinbrenner and Harding Racing owner Mike Harding formed a partnership.

Harding Racing were previously a Chevrolet-powered team, but they switched to Honda and formed a technical alliance with Andretti Autosport.

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As speculated, however, Herta is set to officially drive for Andretti Autosport in the 2020 season as their fifth driver. Andretti Autosport have joined forces with Harding Steinbrenner Racing, and both Steinbrenner and Harding are set to join team owner Michael Andretti as partners in Herta’s entry.

Herta is set to drive the #88 Honda, which is officially set to be run under the banner of Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Racing. He is set to drive for the five-car team as the common teammate to Zach Veach, Alexander Rossi, Ryan Hunter-Reay and Marco Andretti next year. Veach is set to enter his third season driving for the team while Rossi is set to enter his fifth, Hunter-Reay is set to enter his 11th and Andretti is set to enter his 15th.

Here is what Herta had to say about the opportunity to drive for Andretti Autosport next year, according to IndyCar.

"“It’s always been a goal of mine to drive for Andretti Autosport ever since watching my dad drive for them in the mid-2000s. I’ve very thankful for the Steinbrenners and Mike Harding for their efforts through my career and continued efforts into this year.“I’ve grown up around the Andretti team and many of the guys that have been working there since my dad’s days of driving are still with the team. I’m sure I’ll feel right at home. I can for sure tell you this is going to be the longest offseason I’ve had in a while, and I can’t wait to hop in my brand-new Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Indy car.”"

Here is what team owner Michael Andretti had to add about the addition of Herta to his team next year.

"“This partnership and expansion of Andretti Autosport will bring about a positive direction and new opportunities for all involved. I’m also thrilled to be able to keep Colton in the Andretti family. We’ve watched him grow and develop, and we are excited to see the next chapter as he continues his charge in becoming a strong, competitive force in the IndyCar Series.”"

The 19-year-old Valencia, California native has competed in 17 races in his IndyCar career, including 16 this year after making his series debut in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway driving for Harding Racing.

His average finish so far this season is 14.00, and he won in just his third career start in the inaugural IndyCar race at Circuit of the Americas in March to become the youngest race winner in IndyCar history at the age of 18.

He also became the youngest polesitter in IndyCar history at the age of 19 by taking the pole position for the race at Road America at Road America. He has taken two pole positions so far this season, as he also took the pole position for the race at Portland International Raceway earlier this month.

Entering the season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, he sits in 13th place in the championship standings with and a chance to win this year’s Rookie of the Year Award. He has finished in the top nine in five of the last seven races after recording just two top 11 finishes in the season’s first nine races.

Herta had a multi-year contract with Harding Racing heading into the 2019 season, but he also had a three-year contract with Andretti Autosport that restricted him from leaving the organization without them looking to find him a ride within it.

There had been speculation that he would leave Harding Steinbrenner Racing due to their financial instability, and the newly formed Arrow McLaren Racing SP had been rumored as a potential landing spot, but with Andretti Autosport having found a spot for him within their team, he won’t be going anywhere.

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With Colton Herta and George Michael Steinbrenner IV both headed to Andretti Autosport for the 2020 IndyCar season as expected, what will happen to Mike Harding’s team? Will they secure the necessary funding to continue operating next year? If so, who will they hire to replace Herta?