Veteran Brazilian IndyCar driver Tony Kanaan will extend his term with the Chip Ganassi squad for a fourth year, the team has confirmed.
Kanaan, who turns 42 on December 31, finished seventh in the recently completed season, one position behind team-mate and Ganassi stalwart Scott Dixon.
While Ganassi will have to find a replacement sponsor for Dixon’s #9 machine in the wake of Target’s withdrawal after 27 years, NTT DATA will continue on the #10 Kanaan car.
“Tony has played a strong role as one of the leaders of this team both on and off the track and we feel fortunate to have him back,” Ganassi said.
“NTT DATA has proved to be a fantastic partner in many different aspects of our organisation.
“They are not only on our cars but they have also used their technological expertise to help in numerous other aspects of the race team.
“They have been with us for the last four years and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with them for years to come.”
Kanaan, a winner for Ganassi in the Auto Club Speedway season finale in California two years ago, won the 2013 Indy 500 for KV Racing and the IndyCar Series in 2004 for the former Andretti Green squad.
“I’m thrilled to be back with Chip and NTT DATA – it’s been one of the most rewarding partnerships of my career,” Kanaan said.
“Our 2016 season was strong, but our results didn’t always reflect our performance and we definitely have some unfinished business heading into 2017.”
Kanaan is the latest in a busy IndyCar silly season following last week’s confirmation that Josef Newgarden will replace Juan Montoya full-time at Team Penske next year.