IndyCar: Andretti Autosport confirm 2021 lineup change

Colton Herta will no longer drive the #88 Honda for Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport in the 2021 IndyCar season, as he is set to move to the #26 Honda.

Andretti Autosport, which are aiming to run a five-car team again in the 2021 IndyCar season, still have just two drivers under contract for next year following Tuesday’s announcement, with those two drivers being Alexander Rossi and Colton Herta.

But Herta will no longer drive the #88 Honda for Andretti Harding Steinbrenner Autosport next year.

The 20-year-old Valencia, California native is set to move to the #26 Honda for Andretti Autosport with backing from Gainbridge as the replacement for Zach Veach, leaving the #88 Honda without a confirmed driver for 2021.

Andretti Autosport’s partnership with the Harding Steinbrenner team has not yet been confirmed for 2021.

Veach drove for the team full-time from 2018 to 2020 before James Hinchcliffe replaced him for the 2020 season’s final three races after it was announced that Veach would not be returning to the team in 2021.

Here is what he had to say about leaving the Harding Steinbrenner entry for next year, according to the Associated Press.

"“I wouldn’t have gotten to IndyCar if it wasn’t for George [Steinbrenner IV] and for sure I wouldn’t have been able to stay in IndyCar if it wasn’t for Mike [Harding] and the backing he provided.”"

Herta has competed full-time in IndyCar for two seasons after making his debut in the 2018 season finale at Sonoma Raceway.

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He drove the #88 Honda for Harding Steinbrenner Racing in 2019 before they partnered with Andretti Autosport to field the #88 Honda for him in 2020.

In 32 career starts, he has secured three victories, four podium finishes and four pole positions. His average finish is 10.9. After finishing in seventh place in the championship standings in his rookie season with an average finish of 13.2, he finished in third in 2020 with an average finish of 7.5, leading all of the Andretti drivers.

Here is what team owner Michael Andretti had to say about Herta moving to the #26 Honda.

"“Colton’s career has been on a steady rise. We’re confident that he will continue to grow and advance, and we’ll see the No. 26 in victory lane soon.”"

Dan Towriss, CEO and president of Group1001 and the Gainbridge brand, added the following.

"“Colton has quickly shown that talent and drive produce winning results. Winning demands consistency and the confidence and consistency demonstrated by Colton makes him a great fit.”"

With Rossi under contract to drive the #27 Honda, this leaves Ryan Hunter-Reay, who has been tipped to return for another year behind the wheel of the #28 Honda, and Marco Andretti, the driver of the #98 Andretti Herta Autosport w/ Marco Andretti & Curb-Agajanian entry, without contracts for next year.

Hinchcliffe is also expected to compete for the team full-time in 2021 for the first time since he left for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports after the 2014 season.

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The 2021 IndyCar season is scheduled to get underway in under three months, as the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg is scheduled to kick things off from the streets of St. Petersburg, Florida on Sunday, March 7.