Rossi to make Rolex 24 return with Acura-Penske

Alexander Rossi will make his first appearance in the Rolex 24 at Daytona since 2014 after being announced as Acura Team Penske's sixth and final driver for the endurance classic.

Ex-Formula 1 racer and 2016 Indianapolis 500 winner Rossi raced in the DeltaWing DWC13 car at Daytona International Speedway in 2014, but has not since entered a sports car race, focusing on a full-time programme in the Verizon IndyCar Series in recent years. 

Racing for Andretti Autosport, Rossi finished as runner-up to Scot Dixon in the championship last year, but will make two appearances for the sports car team run by IndyCar rival Penske next year after being confirmed in its Rolex 24 and 12 Hours of Sebring line-up.

Rossi will race alongside Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor in the #7 Acura ARX-05 DPi in both races, with Juan Pablo Montoya, Dane Cameron and Simon Pagenaud teaming up in the sister #6 entry.

"I have watched and raced against Team Penske in INDYCAR and I have a lot of respect for the organization and what they do and how they do it,” said Rossi.

“I really appreciate Andretti Autosport for allowing me the opportunity to represent Acura in some of the biggest sports car races in the world.

"I can’t wait to work with Helio and Ricky, to learn from them and hopefully contribute to some wins and a championship for Acura Team Penske."

Rossi will feature in the Rolex 24 at Daytona before returning to the Acura-Penske fold in March for the Sebring 12-hour race.