Servia confirmed in Schmidt’s third car

Servia, who has started one IndyCar race this year, when he subbed for the unwell Will Power at St. Petersburg, will drive the #77 Schmidt Peterson with Marotti Racing entry. 

Servia, who qualified on the front row for Indy in 2011 and finished fourth there in 2012, said: “I am very pleased to have this opportunity at Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

“This year's Indianapolis 500, the 100th running, will be the most special in our era, maybe of all time, and I wanted to make sure I was in a team that can give me a program to contend for the win. I have no doubt that together with SPM and Honda, we will at least do that.

"The whole team, including James [Hinchcliffe], my teammate in 2011, and Mikhail [Aleshin], are ultimate professionals and I can't wait to start doing laps at the most special track in the world in preparation for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Team owner Sam Schmidt said, "We've competed against Oriol for several years now and have always looked for an opportunity to get him in one of our SPM entries.

“He is a true professional and is highly respected within the motorsports community. Interestingly enough, we shared the front row with him in 2011 and know that he can get the job done for all of our team partners."

Marotti Racing was founded by Will Marotti, who plans to use his business startup and building skills to strengthen the team. Marotti is an avid racing fan who has not missed an Indy 500 since 1969 and a graduate from the Skip Barber Racing School. He said: “We are thankful and excited beyond measure to be able to participate in the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500 with a team of the quality and caliber of Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.

"This is the fulfillment of a 47-year-old personal dream, and we hope just the first of many years that Marotti Racing will be in the paddock and part of the IndyCar community."