Chip Ganassi Racing announced on Thursday it has signed Linus Lundqvist to a multi-year contract and will compete full-time starting in 2024.
The 24-year-old from Tyresö, Sweden, competed in three races this year filling in for Simon Pagenaud at Meyer Shank Racing. He finished 25th in Nashville, 12th at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, and 18th at Gateway. He set the fastest lap in two of three races.
“Joining Chip Ganassi Racing is an absolute dream come true for me. Stepping up to race full-time in the NTT IndyCar Series, and to do so with one of the most successful teams in the history of the championship, is the moment I’ve been working for throughout my career,” said Lundqvist. “It is hard to explain how much this means to me. I am incredibly grateful to Chip, Mike, and to everyone who has backed me on this journey, including of course my family.”
In 2022, Lundqvist raced for HMD Motorsports winning seven poles, five races, and 14 podium finishes in 14 races on his way to winning the Indy Lights Championship by 92 points. He competed in two Indy Lights seasons with ten poles, eight wins, and 20 podium finishes in 34 starts.
“It’s terrific that the opportunity to hire Linus, a proven winner, plus the reigning 2022 Indy Lights Champion is now a reality at Chip Ganassi Racing,” said Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull. “He has shown that his on-track performance creates the racecraft separation that’s required in IndyCar today. Growing together with Linus is what comes next.”
Before Indy Lights, Lundqvist won the 2020 Formula Regional Americas Championship, the 2018 BRDC British Formula 3 Championship, and the 2016 Formula STCC Nordic Championship.
“I have dipped my toes into INDYCAR racing in recent weeks, which will give me a little bit of a head start going into 2024. Coming up through INDY NXT has provided me with some important experience that will help me get up to speed,” said Lundqvist.
“Having said that this is an entirely new challenge as I prepare to join an established top team at the highest level of the sport. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but having a team like Chip Ganassi Racing put their trust in me is the greatest motivator I could ever have. I intend to do everything in my power to grab this opportunity and I look forward to all the moments ahead, next year and beyond.”
Lundqvist will be embedded with the Chip Ganassi Racing team for the final two races of the 2023 season as he prepares for the next step in his career in 2024.
