Sebastian Saavedra will resume his Firestone Indy Lights career for the full 2012 season, returning to the team where he won races and contended for the championship in 2009: Andretti Autosport.
The Colombian will run the jointly entered No. 27 AFS/Andretti Autosport car. Additionally, Saavedra will drive Michael Andretti's fourth IndyCar in this year's Indianapolis 500, the No. 25 Automatic Fire Sprinklers Chevrolet, and serve as the team's test and reserve driver.
“Aligning with Andretti Autosport for Firestone Indy Lights and the Indianapolis 500 is advantageous for all parties, AFS, Andretti and especially Sebastian,” said AFS Racing owner Gary Peterson, who is back to partnering with Andretti after branching out on his own and then running with Sam Schmidt last year. “After AFS/Andretti's previous success in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, having won two season championships, I'm convinced that we can place Sebastian exactly where he needs to be to contend for the FIL championship this season.”
“I'm proud to be part of the AFS and Andretti Autosport family again,” Saavedra said. “Together we've had good times and I'm sure we can have them again. I want to thank Gary [Peterson] for believing in my talent and building this program; he is always thinking of my future and the future of AFS Racing. This opportunity was built in a very intelligent manner and I'm looking forward to where it may take us.
Saavedra spent two full seasons in Indy Lights, the 2009 season with AFS/Andretti as teammate to series champion JR Hildebrand. In 2010, he switched to Bryan Herta Autosport and backed into a start in the Indianapolis 500 as several other cars withdrew speeds that were fast enough to qualify. Saavedra abruptly quit BHA before the end of the season and turned up with Conquest Racing at the season finale in Homestead, in preparation for a full rookie season in IndyCar with Conquest last year. Saavedra did not qualify for last year's Indianapolis 500, and had a best finish of 11th at Sao Paulo.