Andretti Autosport has announced the signing of Devlin DeFrancesco, who will drive the Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport’s No. 29 car full-time in 2022.
Italian-Canadian DeFrancesco spent the last year racing for Andretti’s Indy Lights outfit, ending the 2021 campaign sixth in the championship with two podium finishes to his name.
The 21-year-old began his junior career competing in the European racing ladder, with his highest achievement being crowned the 2017 Spanish F3 champion.
In 2020, he moved away from Europe and transitioned to the US, racing in the Indy Pro 2000 championship with Andretti before stepping up to Indy Lights this year.
Last month, DeFrancesco took part in a two-day test with Andretti Autosport, in which he got to drive an IndyCar for the first time.
“I am incredibly grateful to Michael [Andretti] and George [Steinbrenner IV] for the belief they have shown in me over the past two seasons moving up the Road to Indy ladder,” DeFrancesco said.
“To now take that final step into IndyCar with two of the world’s biggest names in sports – Andretti and Steinbrenner – is an incredible opportunity that I can’t wait to take full advantage of.
“I have three very experienced teammates to learn from and that is what makes this opportunity even more exciting. To get to race in the NTT IndyCar Series with Andretti Steinbrenner Autosport and to contest the Indianapolis 500 is a dream come true and I’m so looking forward to getting started.”
With DeFrancesco signed to the team, Andretti has finalised its 2022 line-up, as he joins Alexander Rossi, Colton Herta and Romain Grosjean.
“We’re thrilled to keep Devlin in the Andretti Autosport family as he makes his final jump up the Road to Indy ladder into INDYCAR,” said Michael Andretti.
“Devlin has been a great addition to our Indy Lights program and has showed a lot of growth and strength at the recent test days.
“I think he’ll continue to grow with IndyCar and I’m really glad that we could again partner with George and the Steinbrenner Racing team for the No. 29.”
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