Pato O’Ward is back on the Mazda Road to Indy.

The Texas-based Mexican racer will drive the No. 27 Mazda for Andretti Autosport during the 2018 Indy Lights presented by Cooper Tires season, joining returning Andretti Autosport drivers Dalton Kellett and Ryan Norman and Colton Herta, who will again race for team under the Andretti-Steinbrenner Racing banner.

"First off, I want to thank the whole Andretti Autosport team for the incredible opportunity they are giving me,” O’Ward said. “I'm really happy to be with this powerhouse team and I will give this my all to deliver results. I have been working really hard with (Andretti Autosport team owner) Michael (Andretti) and (team president) J-F (Thormann) to put this deal together, and I'm more than proud to be a part of such a prestigious team like Andretti. I can't wait to start working with everyone and I'm sure its going to be an awesome year, so lets go get it!"

O’Ward, 18, made four Indy Lights start for Team Pelfrey in 2017 and finished third at St. Petersburg before turning his attention to IMSA competition. He won the class at both the Rolex 24 At Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring en route to the final WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Prototype Challenge class championship. He won seven times over two seasons in Pro Mazda, narrowly missing out on the championship in 2016, when he won six of the first seven races of the season.

"We're excited to have Pato join our Indy Lights family in 2018," Michael Andretti said. "Pato had a strong, successful Pro Mazda season in 2016 and has been working hard to make the jump to Indy Lights. I'm confident his talent will blend well with Colton, Dalton and Ryan, and I'm looking forward to seeing our drivers on the podium this season."