With motorsport in his blood, Hunter McElrea may have been born in the US, but he races under the New Zealand flag and is making a name for himself Stateside on the ‘road to Indy’ developmental ladder.

ABOUT

Growing up around motorsport, Hunter McElrea started Karting at just seven years of age and at the age of 16, progressed to single seaters, competing in Formula Ford championships in both Australia and New Zealand. In 2018, McElrea contested a second full season of Australian Formula Ford and became the first non-Australian driver to win the title since 1985.

That same year saw McElrea awarded the coveted Road to Indy scholarship. A USD$200,000 pathway sanctioned by IndyCar that helps drivers reach the IndyCar series. The road consists of the U.S. F2000 National Championship, the Indy Pro 2000 Championship and the Indy Lights championship as feeder series into the IndyCar main game.

McElrea was second in the F2000 championship his first year before graduating to Indy Pro 2000 where he placed fifth (2020) and third (2021).

With a clear vision to compete in IndyCar and a track record of strong and consistent results, McElrea’s future looks promising.

2021 SEASON RESULTS

After two seasons with Wisconsin-based Pabst Racing Services, McElrea returned to the 2021 Indy Pro 2000 Championship for the team and looked to convert the previous year’s development into more wins. He did exactly that, winning 3 of the eighteen races and making the podium in a further four races, to secure third overall in the championship.

The solid and consistent performance in the Indy Pro 2000 series caught the eye of reigning Indy Lights Champions, Andretti Autosport, who signed McElrea for the 2022 season.  “It is a dream come true for me to join a team like Andretti Autosport,” said McElrea, “After my first days in an Indy Lights car and working with the team, it’s clear to me why they are one of the world’s most successful race teams. This is the biggest opportunity I have ever had in my racing career to date, and I plan on making the most of it!”