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Serralles To Test IndyCar With Andretti Autosport

Los Angeles, CA – Felix Serralles will take part in his first IndyCar test at Sebring International Raceway with Andretti Autosport on November 10-11.

Serralles will become the first Puerto Rican to take the big step of driving an IndyCar and at a pivotal time in his racing career. At 24 years of age, Serralles has mastered several prestigious open-wheel series across North America and Europe, most recently completing his second season of Indy Lights, the feeder series to the Verizon IndyCar Series.

Interest in Serralles’ career has intensified over the course of 2016 amongst racing teams, the media and his commercial partners, as the prospect of IndyCar promotion has grown in parallel with his strong performance this season. Serralles was the first Indy Lights race winner of 2016 around the Streets of St Petersburg and he received wide acclaim for his dominance on the high speed ovals, including a sensational pass-to-win at the Iowa Speedway in July.

The two-day test at Sebring next month with Andretti Autosport drivers Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco Andretti and Alexander Rossi is a highly anticipated moment in Serralles’ career to date. He explains:

“I’m beyond excited to finally get a chance to drive an IndyCar and it’s great to be having that chance with Andretti Autosport. This is something I have been dreaming about since I can remember. I’m so grateful to DCM for making this happen.

“I grew up watching all these drivers and it’s almost like a dream to be able to test and learn from someone like Ryan Hunter-Reay, who I have watched for many years. I’m excited to learn how to drive the most physical car in open-wheel racing. It will help me develop into a better driver, test my fitness and compare myself to the big dogs in the Verizon IndyCar Series.

“The opportunity to test with Andretti is great – especially as they have so much history in IndyCar and across motorsport in general. To be part of such an organization for two days is more than many can ask for.”

Serralles’ manager, Henry James, regards this moment as a breakthrough for Serralles, Puerto Rico and the Verizon IndyCar Series. Speaking about today’s announcement, he said:

“Felix has worked hard to reach this stage in his career and I am excited to see his fast rate of development transfer into IndyCar. He is a truly humble ambassador of his native Puerto Rico and he has always aimed to make his rise through motorsport an achievement for himself and his country – an attribute about Felix which I value very highly.

“We are collaborating with our commercial partners to continue supporting Felix on his way towards his 2017 campaign and I am sure he will be a worthy addition to the Verizon IndyCar Series. J-F Thormann at Andretti Autosport has worked very closely with us to bring together this opportunity for Felix and the Andretti team have shown great willingness to support and promote the commercial interests of Felix’s partners and supporters.

“The team won this year’s Indy500 with Alexander Rossi, another rookie who rose through the highest levels of single-seater racing in Europe, so I have high hopes of seeing Felix in a similar winning position in the near future.”

Andretti Autosport’s Chairman and CEO, Michael Andretti, added:

“Felix has had an impressive Indy Lights career so far and is a driver that has shown potential in the Mazda Road to Indy ladder system. We’re happy to be giving him his first IndyCar Series test, and are excited to see his times.”

Serralles’ performance in 2016, combined with his gold FIA classification, have led to a number of offers to test and race with a selection of leading teams from other high profile international series before the end of the year. These opportunities are currently under review by Serralles and his management.