Ex-Formula 1 driver Max Chilton will become a full-time member of Chip Ganassi’s 2016 IndyCar squad.

The 24-year-old took the plunge with British team Carlin’s foray into North American open wheel racing last year, claiming a win in Indy Lights at Iowa.

Chilton replaces Sage Karam in Ganassi’s fourth car, joining reigning series champion Scott Dixon, Tony Karam and Charlie Kimball.

“Max is a talented young driver who has driven a number of different disciplines already in a short time,” Ganassi said.

“He brings a good deal of experience to our IndyCar line-up and we’re looking forward to him being part of our four-car team in 2016 and making a big contribution.”

The Surrey-born racer will become the first British driver in more than a decade and just the fourth in the last 25 years (Nigel Mansell, 1993, Mark Blundell, 1996 and Justin Wilson, 2004) to have driven full-time in Formula 1 prior to joining the IndyCar Series.

Along with his Indy Lights campaign last year which also netted 10 top five finishes and six podiums, Chilton was part of the now defunct Nissan LMP1 program in the World Endurance Championship.

“Chip (Ganassi) is the kind of team owner that every driver dreams of working for in their career,” Chilton said.

“He’s accomplished so much in so many different categories over the years and I can’t wait to start driving for him.”