Hunter-Reay to remain with Andretti
Michael Andretti, President, Chairman and CEO, Andretti Autosport:
"We are happy to have Ryan (Hunter-Reay) back with us for the 2013 and 2014 IndyCar seasons. He is a tough competitor and has become an important part of our team. He is the ultimate team player and I know we can count on him, along with his teammates, to continue to be a foundation for us. We believe that he, Marco (Andretti) and James (Hinchcliffe) will continue to work together and take the team to great places with great success."
Ryan Hunter-Reay, Driver, Team DHL/Sun Drop Citrus Soda:
"I have a lot of deep rooted relationships with the team and the team sponsors and I'm looking forward to continuing and further developing those relationships. I'm happy to be able to enjoy the off season knowing what the next two years hold. I'm looking forward to my return with Andretti Autosport and hope to have the opportunity to speak more on it soon, but today we are focused on leaving Fontana tonight with a championship."
09/15/12 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. After being wooed by Team Penske, SPEED can report that Hunter-Reay has declined Roger Penske’s offer and re-upped with Andretti Autosport.
“It came together late but it’s done and we’ve signed Ryan to a multiple-year deal," said John Lopes, the president of Andretti Motorsports Marketing, on the eve of Saturday night’s season finale at Auto Club Speedway.
“We came into this weekend with two major goals – keep our team together and win the championship so we’ve already accomplished one of them."
As first reported on SPEED.com two weeks ago, Team Penske had approached Hunter-Reay about replacing Ryan Briscoe after making a pitch to Simon Pagenaud, who had to decline because of his iron-clad contract with Sam Schmidt. speed.com
09/07/12 IndyCar title contender Ryan Hunter-Reay is expected to remain with Andretti Autosport, despite reports linking him elsewhere for 2013, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals.
The American's current deal is about to expire and he is understood to have entertained offers from rival teams including Penske, which sounded him out about the possibility of replacing Ryan Briscoe.
However Hunter-Reay told AUTOSPORT that his best option is to remain where he is.
"I'm a very loyal person, and I want to have continuity," Hunter-Reay said. "Continuity with a team that can fight for the championship – that's my bottom line.
"Andretti has done a great job with that. Hopefully we'll have news on that soon, but right now I'm just focused on the championship.
Team boss Michael Andretti said that he is optimistic that a new deal will be finalized soon.
"We are hoping," he said. "We are getting real close to having it all locked down. I feel very confident that Ryan is going to be with us."