Super Formula race winner Alex Palou will compete in the 2020 IndyCar Series, driving for Dale Coyne Racing in a link-up with Le Mans 24 Hours-winning squad Team Goh.
As previously reported by Autosport, Palou was on a DCR shortlist that included ex-Schmidt Peterson Motorsports driver James Hinchcliffe, left without a seat at the new McLaren team opted for an all-new line-up, and Formula 2 driver Sergio Sette Camara.
Palou will compete in the full IndyCar season after placing as the top rookie in Super Formula in third place, running with Nakajima Racing and scoring a victory and three pole positions in 2019 as he ran in title contention.
“I’m very excited about coming to America to race Indy cars,” said Palou. “I’m grateful for all that have helped me get to this point of my career and especially Dale Coyne and Mr Kazumichi Goh for giving me this opportunity.”
The Palou entry will be entered under the name “Dale Coyne Racing with Team Goh” for the 2020 season.
Goh won at Le Mans in 2004 with Seiji Ara, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello, before it was then revived earlier this year to compete in Suuper GT and Super Taikyu with a customer McLaren programme.
“We’re very pleased to partner with our friend of many years, Kazumichi Goh, in this collaborative effort for 2020,” said DCR owner Dale Coyne.
“We tested Alex at Mid-Ohio earlier this year and he impressed everyone. His rise in performance over the past three years shows great promise for the future.”
DCR plans to begin extensive testing in February in preparation for the season opening race at St Petersburg in March.
The team confirmed it will announce its complete 2020 programme in the new year, after Sebastien Bourdais, pictured above, left the team following the collapse of a sponsorship deal.
Santino Ferrucci, who impressed in his rookie season and is highly rated by DCR, was not mentioned in the announcement.