Matthew Brabham

Matthew Brabham will return to Andretti Autosport for the first event of the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires season next week.

Brabham won both Pro Mazda Championship races in 2013 to start his record-breaking championship year. In his Indy Lights debut last year with Andretti Autosport at St. Petersburg, he qualified third and was pushing for second before a brush with the wall dropped him to ninth.

“It’s brilliant that we have the opportunity to link up with Andretti Autosport again for this campaign,” said Brabham, who will drive the No. 83 car. “It has been a tough offseason trying to piece everything together, but thanks to the team and some close supporters, we’ll be at St Petersburg.

“Having won both races at St. Pete in Pro Mazda and being quite strong there last year, I’m confident of hitting the ground running. It’s a great track and I love street courses, so we’ll be aiming to be in the mix.”

Brabham, who finished fourth in the 2014 Indy Lights standings, will test the new Mazda/Dallara IL-15 car March 23 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“It is a brand new car this year - so there is a bit to learn, but the experience from developing the Formula E car with Andretti will work in my favor,” he said.

Joining Brabham in the Andretti Autosport squad will be Shelby Blackstock.

“It’s great to have Matt back in a seat within our Indy Lights program,” team owner Michael Andretti said. “He’s done a stellar job stepping up for us in our Formula E team as reserve driver, but it will be great to see him back in Indy Lights alongside Shelby. Those two work well together and they will be ones to watch as they hit the streets of St. Pete.”