Harding Steinbrenner Racing has announced 2018 Indy Lights Champion Patricio O'Ward and respective runner-up Colton Herta will race for the team in 2019.
Both drivers made their IndyCar debut at the Grand Prix of Sonoma driving the two Harding-Chevrolet cars in the final race of the 2018 season after their Indy Lights campaigns had finished.
The Harding team will continue to be based out of their current garage in Indianapolis and continue to run with Chevrolet engines also for the 2019 season.
Harding will also see George Michael Steinbrenner IV, the 22-year-old son of New York Yankees part-owner and co-chairman Hank Steinbrenner become a team owner and become the youngest owner in the history of IndyCar.
Steinbrenner helped field Herta during his two seasons in Indy Lights with the Andretti Autosport team. The Andretti partnership will also continue as Harding will receive technical assistance from Andretti Autosport.
“I am so thrilled to finally announce the plans for next year,” said Herta. “I know it’s been a long time coming. After having a good time in Sonoma and dipping my feet into IndyCar, it makes me way more enthusiastic than I was before. This is all possible because of Mike Harding and I want to give a big thank you to the Steinbrenners. There is a lot to do, but I’m ready to get my head down and focus forward for the 2019 IndyCar season.”
“If you would have asked me if I was going to be an IndyCar driver last year, I would have told you hopefully, but no,” added O’Ward.
“It’s a chance of a lifetime. I couldn’t be in a better position as of now. I’m really thankful for the opportunity that Harding Racing, Mike Harding and the Steinbrenners are giving me. This is something I have been working my whole life for.
"It’s been a very adventurous and enjoyable ride. I’ve matured a lot over the past two years and I think I’m ready to be strong in the IndyCar Series. We showed some pace in Sonoma and learned a lot. I think it’s going to be just as important to learn as much as we can in the beginning of the 2019 season, so we can end the season strong.
"The car will be fast, and I know the team will give me what I need to do the job. There’s nothing better than having trust with the people who are giving you the car because when the car is going fast those extra risks that you have to take are from the trust and confidence form your team."
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