IndyCar – Matheus Leist joins AJ Foyt for 2018

A.J. Foyt Racing has confirmed its second driver for the 2018 season. IndyCar Series. And it is a Brazilian duo who will defend the colors of the American team, since alongside veteran Tony Kanaan, Matheus leist, who won the Indy Lights championship in 2017 with Carlin (three victories at Indianapolis, Road America and Iowa), will be promoted to the No. 4 car, driven in 2017 by Conor Daly.

« I wanted a fresh start for 2018, argues Foyt. JHe thinks the combination of an experienced driver like Tony and a young, hungry driver like Matt will work. I watched him in Indy Lights this year and he won at Indianapolis. I know he has a lot to learn but I think he will realize that very quickly and I think he will be very good in IndyCar. »

« Sometimes it's hard for me to believe I'm going to drive for legend A.J. Foyt, admits Leist, a native of Novo Hamburgo. Having Tony Kanaan as a teammate is amazing because he has been an idol of mine since I was little. Tony and I come from different generations but I look forward to being on the track with him and learning as much as I can from him. It will be a pleasure. »

After winning the British championship F3 In 2016, Leist decided to take a new direction in his career, crossing the Atlantic again, but not to return to Brazil, but to compete in Indy Lights.

« Every day, I tell myself that I couldn't have made a better decision than to come to the USA at the end of 2016. America is where things happen and where good drivers have their place. The IndyCar series is one of the best categories in the world and has the most important race in the world (Indy 500).

The championship is incredible with the combination of road, urban and oval courses. It’s a series where all teams are capable of doing a good job. I have dreamed of racing in this championship and I can’t wait for this dream to come true. »

Matheus Leist should try the new one car IndyCar 2018 in early January, while Tony Kanaan will drive the car developed by Dallara on an aero test at Sebring (Florida) next month.