Motorsport: Hartley close to Indycar move

2017 Le Mans winner Brendon Hartley at Goodwood on 1st July 2017. Photo / Getty Images

Kiwi racing driver Brendon Hartley is serious considering a move to Indycar racing with a seat next to countryman Scott Dixon at Ganassi Racing the most likely.

The 27-year-old Le Mans 24 Hours winner is pondering a number of options for 2018 after Porsche opted to exit their LMP1 program in the World Endurance Championship at the end of the current season.

While Hartley remains contracted to Porsche he will look to find another major drive and has explored possibilities in Formula E, Indycars and other categories.

"I'm not sure what I'm going to be racing next year, I'm looking at a lot of different options," Hartley told Motorsport.com in Austin after a fourth straight victory in the WEC that sees his combination with Earl Bamber and Timo Bernhard all but assured of the title.

With Porsche opting to focus on an entry in Formula E for the 2018-19 season many were expecting Hartley to make a move to the all-electric category but a recent test didn't bode so well.

Hartley wasn't particularly fast in the test with Venturi Racing and ended up crashing the car.

That appears to have culled his immediate plans in Formula E.

"For the moment nothing's clear, but I'm confident I'll be a in a good place next year," Hartley said. "I spoke to many different teams [in Formula E], I tested with Venturi, but I've also been speaking to Indycar teams, IMSA teams."

It has been well reported that Hartley has been in discussion with Ganassi Racing in Indycars and there is genuine interest from both parties of a fulltime drive alongside four-time series champ Dixon next season.

"I'd love to be in IndyCar and hopefully in the next weeks something will become clear," Hartley added. "I'm genuinely looking closely at IndyCar and it would be a new challenge.

"I'm excited about the challenge of the ovals if IndyCar comes to fruition."