Two names synonymous with sporting success will come together next season to power open-wheel prospect Colton Herta as he ditches Europe to join the Indy Lights Series with the newly formed Steinbrenner Racing with Andretti Autosports racing team.
This is the same Steinbrenner family who owns the New York Yankees, with George Michael Steinbrenner IV serving as team principal. The team will be operated in conjunction with Michael Andretti, who will also field cars in the series for Nico Jamin, Dalton Kellett and Ryan Norman.
For his part, Herta is the son of Andretti Autosport investor Bryan Herta, who owns the Indianapolis 500 winning No. 98 entry driven by Alexander Rossi. The younger Herta is the reigning F1600 champion and has also enjoyed success in the MSA Formula championship and the EuroFormula Open series.
The 16-year-old has also won in the British Formula 3 series and is now taking those talents back home to the United States.
"I'm very pleased to be coming back to race in the States," Herta said. "IndyCar is my goal, so competing in Indy Lights this year will bring me one step closer. I know I have a good team behind me in Andretti Steinbrenner Racing, and we should be fighting for wins right away."
Steinbrenner says he’s been a fan of Indy car racing his entire life, and the 20-year-old now wants to take that enthusiasm to the next step.
"Andretti Autosport always seemed to have a prestige in how they operate and present themselves that mirrors that of the Yankees," Steinbrenner said. "The legacy of the Andretti name and the success and wide reach of the Andretti brand is as impressive as you will find in the world of motor racing."
Both the Andretti and Steinbrenner names are linked to trophies, and such a marriage made sense according to the veteran IndyCar owner.
"Partnering with a name as iconic as Steinbrenner is really something I’m looking forward to," Andretti said. "George Michael has a great vision for his race team, just as his grandfather had for the Yankees. We are looking forward to having George Michael join us in our Indianapolis office in a very hands-on role with the team. I think together the partnership can continue to grow in motorsport, and it is only fitting that we begin by entering a car into the Mazda Road to Indy program with Indy Lights."