Chip Ganassi Racing announced on Thursday that Marcus Armstrong has agreed to a multi-year contract extension and will compete full-time in IndyCar starting in the 2024 season.
The 23-year-old from Christchurch, New Zealand, is currently ranked 20th in the points standings with four top-ten finishes. His highest finish this season was seventh in Toronto. He currently leads the rookie class by 26 points over Agustin Canapino.
“I am very proud and excited to continue with Chip Ganassi Racing for next year and beyond. Together with this very talented and experienced team, I am confident we can compete at the highest level in this championship. I feel very grateful that Chip has given me the time to adapt to IndyCar and has helped me every step of the way in what has been a good season,” said Armstrong.
“I’ve spent the year learning from a great group of people, including my teammates and Dario. I’m very grateful for how much help I’ve received from each team member. With a season under my belt, I now want to turn these lessons into results. I will be racing on the ovals for the first time next year and it’s an exciting challenge that I’m confident I can learn quickly. I spent the entire month of May either in the engineering office or in the pit stand this year, trying to familiarize myself with the details of oval racing. It’s a challenge that excites me a lot.”
Before IndyCar, Armstrong competed in the Formula 2 Championship for three seasons, winning four races, eight podium finishes, and three poles in 75 starts. His first victory in Formula 2 came in 2021 at Jeddah Corniche Circuit in Saudi Arabia.
In addition, Armstrong served as a development driver for the Scuderia Ferrari F1 team. In 2022, Armstrong registered three wins across the 2022 campaign in Italy, Austria, and the Netherlands. In October 2022, Armstrong tested for Dale Coyne Racing at Sebring International Raceway.
“Marcus Armstrong has proven in 2023 his quick adaptation to IndyCar road and street tracks. He’s ready to be a full-time Chip Ganassi Racing IndyCar driver,” said Chip Ganassi Racing Managing Director Mike Hull. “Winning is integrated into his racing resume. This includes his pursuit of the 2023 IndyCar Rookie of the Year. He knows how to win as a teammate. Next comes ovals at the highest global level. We look forward to a long-term relationship driven by growth and opportunity in the NTT IndyCar Series with Marcus.”
In 2017, Armstrong competed in the Formula 4 Championship and won the championship with four wins, 13 podium finishes, and six poles in 21 starts. In 2018, he moved up to Formula 3 with three wins, seven podiums, and three poles in 16 starts.
Armstrong will look to wrap up the Rookie of the Year Award this Sunday in the NTT IndyCar Series season finale at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca at 2:30 pm on NBC. Subscribe to Fubo to watch all of the 2023 NTT IndyCar Series season. Purchase tickets for all IndyCar races today on StubHub and Viagogo.
