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IndyCar: Marcus Ericsson to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2020

By Asher Fair

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Marcus Ericsson #7 of Sweden and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda sits in his car during practice for the NTT IndyCar Series Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 20, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 20: Marcus Ericsson #7 of Sweden and Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports Honda sits in his car during practice for the NTT IndyCar Series Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on September 20, 2019 in Monterey, California. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Marcus Ericsson is set to drive a third car for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2020 IndyCar season alongside Scott Dixon and fellow Swede Felix Rosenqvist.

After his rookie season in IndyCar driving for Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports, there were rumors that former Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson may not get the opportunity to return to IndyCar in the 2020 season.

Ericsson had been one of the many candidates rumored to be one of the two drivers for Arrow McLaren Racing SP, the team formed when Arrow Schmidt Peterson Motorsports formed a partnership with McLaren and switched from Honda engines to Chevrolet engines.

But the 29-year-old Swede will not drive for Arrow McLaren Racing SP next year.

However, he is still set to compete in IndyCar, as he is set to join Chip Ganassi Racing as their third driver alongside five-time champion Scott Dixon and 2019 Rookie of the Year Felix Rosenqvist. He is set to drive the #8 Honda next year.

Here is what Ericsson had to say about this opportunity, according to IndyCar.

"“First of all I’m extremely happy and proud to get the opportunity to join Chip Ganassi Racing. It’s a team of winners and their history speaks for itself. I’m very thankful that they believe in me and I will do everything I can to make 2020 another successful year for the team. I’m also very excited to work with two of the best drivers in the series in Scott and Felix. I’m looking forward to putting what I’ve learned this year to use in my second year in the NTT IndyCar Series.”"

Here is what team owner Chip Ganassi had to add.

"“I think Marcus brings a lot of unique experience with him having competed in several championships around the world. When you have someone with that type of background, it gives him other points of reference that helps his ability to develop and add to the overall racing program. We’re looking forward to seeing what Marcus can do alongside Scott and Felix.”"

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Ericsson finished in 17th place in the championship standings in his rookie season, although he likely would have finished in 15th or 16th had he not been called to the Belgian Grand Prix at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps on standby during the race weekend at Portland International Raceway in case Kimi Raikkonen was unable to drive for Alfa Romeo Racing.

Through the season, Ericsson competed in 16 races and recorded three top 10 finishes, all of which were top seven finishes. He finished in a career-high second place in the second race on the streets of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, and he finished in seventh in the races at Barber Motorsports Park and Texas Motor Speedway. He finished the season with an average finish of 14.81.

Chip Ganassi Racing have not fielded more than two full-time cars in a season since 2017 when they fielded four. They have not fielded exactly three full-time cars in a season since 2013.

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The 2020 IndyCar season is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, March 15 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg on the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida. How will Marcus Ericsson perform in his second season in the series and his first season driving for Chip Ganassi Racing?