Avalanche Andretti has confirmed that Oliver Askew will make his return to the Michael Andretti-led motor racing stable, joining Jake Dennis at the team for the 2021/22 Formula E campaign.
Askew becomes the first American to compete full-time in Formula E and the only driver heralding from Stateside on the Season 8 grid.
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“We’re happy to welcome Oliver back to the Andretti family to round out our Formula E driver line-up,” said Michael Andretti, CEO and chairman, Andretti Autosport. “We had a lot of success with Oliver back in 2019 when he won the Indy Lights Championship with us and we’re looking forward to introducing him to Formula E.
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"He's a hard worker and races smart, we're confident he'll apply that to this new opportunity. We’re also pretty excited to be able to field the first full-time American driver in such an exciting, international series.”
"I'm beyond excited to return home and join Andretti Autosport full-time again for the 2021/2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship. I consider Andretti family and to be able to attack this chapter in my career with them means more than words can describe."
Askew, a Florida native, began karting at the age of eight and moved up both the American and European ranks before making the jump to cars in 2015. After winning the Team USA Scholarship in 2016, Askew climbed the Road to Indy ladder, winning the USF 2000 Championship in 2017.
With his championship scholarship, Askew moved into the Indy Pro 2000 Championship quickly followed by another step up joining Andretti Autosport’s Indy Lights team in 2019. He claimed seven wins, seven poles and 15 podiums on his way to win the 2019 Indy Lights Championship with Andretti.
Askew made his IndyCar debut in 2020 competing in 12 races and scoring one podium. Most recently, the young American recorded starts in both IndyCar and IMSA, sealing a win, five top-five finishes, and six top-10 finishes throughout his time on track in 2021.
“I am beyond excited to return home and join Andretti Autosport full time again for the 2021/2022 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship,” said Askew. “I consider Andretti Autosport family and to be able to attack this chapter in my career with them means more than words can describe.
"To have a partner like Avalanche with us could not be a more perfect fit and being the only confirmed driver to represent the United States in Formula E is something I am very proud of. I look forward to getting to work as soon as possible.”
“Another first for Andretti in Formula E, a full-time American racer competing in a World Championship,” added team principal Roger Griffiths. “We know Oliver well from his success with us in Indy Lights but now he tackles a very different challenge; however, from what we have already seen with his work ethic and dedication, we expect great things from him."