Bryan Herta Autosport, aka Team Barracuda-BHA, has confirmed that it will switch to Honda engines for the Indianapolis 500 after recently ending its deal with Lotus.
The team, which is defending the Indy 500 crown it won with the late Dan Wheldon, split from Lotus last month after a disappointing start to the season. It missed the recent race in Brazil, but will return for the first oval race of the campaign with a new engine deal for the rest of the year.
"It is with great personal pleasure that we are returning to the Honda family for the remainder of the 2012 season," said team boss Bryan Herta. "We look forward to joining the other Honda-powered teams on track this weekend in preparation for the Indianapolis 500, and working to defend last year's memorable and popular win by Dan Wheldon."
Honda Performance Development vice president Steve Erickson added: "We're pleased to be able to renew our relationship with Bryan Herta and his team. Bryan has long been associated with Honda and HPD, and he served as our primary development driver during the last era of IndyCar manufacturer competition. His team's victory in the 2011 Indianapolis 500 was the stuff of legend, and we are delighted to have a hang in helping him defend that championship.
"Beyond that, we look forward to a successful partnership through the remainder of the 2012 IndyCar season."
Herta will enter this year's race with a car for Alex Tagliani, who took pole for the Indy 500 one year ago.