Hideki Mutoh says racing for Newman/Haas/Lanigan in this year's IndyCar Series will be an honor given the team's heritage and record of success.
Honda Japan announced last week that Mutoh would join Newman/Haas/Lanigan for 2010 after spending his first two seasons in the championship with Andretti Green.
"Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing has always been known for its success and I am proud to add my name to all of those who have driven for the team before me," said Mutoh, who won Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. "I started watching IndyCar racing when Nigel Mansell came to race in the United States from Formula 1, so I am happy to be racing for the same team he raced for. I already have taken my picture with his racecar that is in the lobby of the team's race shop. I'm looking forward to starting the season."
Although Mutoh had a low-key 2009 season, finishing 11th in the championship, team boss Carl Haas said the Japanese driver had proven his credentials with his achievements earlier in his career.
"Hideki has shown he is able to adapt quickly to new challenges by finishing second overall in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2007 when he competed on an oval for the first time," said Haas. "The 2008 battle for the IndyCar Series Rookie of the Year in the newly unified series was very close with Hideki emerging as the winner. In his two years in the IndyCar Series, he has earned several podium finishes and we are looking forward to adding more."