Although it’s been something of an open secret for a little while, today Santiago Urrutia and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports have finally confirmed they’ll be partners in the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season.
Urrutia has tested with the team multiple times and as the Mazda scholarship recipient, will step up to Indy Lights after winning last year’s Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires title.
He’s only Schmidt Peterson’s second full-season confirmed driver, along with RC Enerson, and will drive the team’s Soul Red-colored No. 55 Dallara IL-15 Mazda.
“I am very honored to be able to drive for SPM,” Urrutia said. “The team has an amazing record in Indy Lights and I am going to make sure I add to its tally of wins and championships. I’m also very happy to work with an incredible group of guys and gals that I’ve already met during my tests with the team. Now that the business of contracts is done, St. Pete here we come!”
Team owner Sam Schmidt added, “I’m very pleased to have Santiago joining the SPM team for 2016. He is clearly talented and deserving to have won the scholarship to advance to Indy Lights. What impressed me most are his focus, maturity and determination to be the very best. You can see it in his eyes and the way he approaches every aspect of the business. He is totally committed and will be competitive straight away.”
The team is likely to run four cars this season, as last year, but has not revealed and/or finalized those drivers as yet.
Acá les presento mi auto para la temporada 2016 en la IndyLights del equipo @SPMIndyCar pic.twitter.com/eaSiR2Pp6d
— Santiago Urrutia (@Santi_Urrutia) February 18, 2016
.@Santi_Urrutia will drive 55, and it's #SoulRed. #TeamCooperTire #MRTI pic.twitter.com/6QCpIrJriw
— Team Cooper Tire (@TeamCooperTire) February 18, 2016