Max Chilton will graduate to the Verizon IndyCar Series in 2016.                                                           

Chip Ganassi Racing Teams announced Feb. 1 that the former Formula 1 driver from Reigate, England will pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet in a full-season effort for the 2016 season.

“Max is a talented young driver who has driven a number of different disciplines already in a short time,” said team owner Chip Ganassi. “He brings a good deal of experience to our Indy car lineup and we’re looking forward to him being part of our four-car team in 2016 and making a big contribution.”

Chilton, 24, will become the first British driver in more than a decade and just the fourth in the last 25 years (Nigel Mansell-1993, Mark Blundell-1996, Justin Wilson-2004) to have driven full-time in Formula 1 prior to joining the Verizon IndyCar Series. He made 35 starts in Formula 1 from 2013-2014 for the Marussia Formula 1 Team.

Most recently, Chilton contested a partial season in the 2015 Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires with one win (at Iowa Speedway), six podiums and 10 top-five finishes.

 “I couldn’t be happier to join Chip Ganassi Racing’s Verizon IndyCar Series program,” Chilton said. “This organization is built on winning and their 11 Indy car Championships back that up. Chip (Ganassi) is the kind of team owner that every driver dreams of working for in their career. He’s accomplished so much in so many different categories over the years, and I can’t wait to start driving for him.”