LIGHTS: Rickards moves up with Carlin

Carlin announced that Garth Rickards will join its Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires team for the 2017 season. Rickards has already tested extensively with the team over the past couple of months and will make the move to the top tier of the Mazda Road to Indy after competing for the last two seasons in USF2000.

The 24-year-old American has advanced quickly following his debut season of single-seater racing in 2014. Rickards finished as runner up in the F1600 Championship Series, taking one victory alongside a total of nine impressive podiums while also claiming Rookie of the Year honors. He subsequently moved on to the Cooper Tires USF2000 Powered by Mazda series, where he has competed for the past two seasons, taking a podium finish at Mid-Ohio last season.

"To say I am excited is an understatement and I can't thank everyone who was involved enough," said Rickards (pictured). "Carlin has proven that they are one of the best junior open-wheel teams in the world with their track record. Their focus on driver development will really help me grow and move my way up through the field in my rookie season. Trevor [Carlin] and the whole Carlin squad have been extremely supportive and I'm excited to work with them hopefully for many years. I want to personally thank David Luther and Luther Automotive for believing in me and helping me continue to chase my dream. Together with all my associate sponsors coming on board it has put us in a great position to be a force in 2017."

Racing director Trevor Carlin added, "We are extremely pleased to have Garth join us here at Carlin for 2017. Garth has shown real potential in his career so far and it's always nice to see a driver moving further up the Mazda Road to Indy ladder. We know that Garth will be a strong addition to our team and having already worked with him over the course of a test programme we're looking forward continuing where we left off and building a strong programme together for the season ahead."