Andretti Global has announced a continued partnership with Lochie Hughes for 2026, who will add an IndyCar reserve role to his Indy NXT duties.
Hughes finished third in his rookie Indy NXT season in 2025, earning two wins along the way while driving for Andretti.
The 23-year-old will continue that relationship by running a second year in the development series while also preparing for a step up to the premiere ranks.
In addition to contesting all 17 rounds of the 2026 Indy NXT season, Hughes will serve as Andretti’s IndyCar reserve driver next year.
Andretti three cars will be piloted by Kyle Kirkwood, Marcus Ericsson, and Will Power, who is joining the team next year.
Hughes would be available to fill in if any of those three need to miss an event.
The young Australian will need to get up to speed in an IndyCar chassis before the season starts in March, seeing as how he has yet to test the top level machinery.
“I’m really excited to be returning to Andretti Global for the 2026 INDY NXT season,” said Hughes.
“It was a dream to drive for this team this past season, and I’m proud that we finished third in the championship. I’m looking forward to building on that success next year with a team I know well now.
“I am also beyond excited to be doing my first IndyCar test. It’s something I’ve looked forward to for a long time, and doing it in Indy makes it even more special.
“It will be a great experience to work closely with the team as an IndyCar reserve driver in 2026.”
Hughes’ first IndyCar test will take place on October 13 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, joining Mick Schumacher and others on track that same day.
Discussion about this post