Wilson makes IRL switch

The 29-year-old Briton - was the hot favourite to claim the ChampCar title after being confirmed as four-time champion Sebastien Bourdais's replacement at NHLR earlier this month.

But, following the championship's merger with the previously rival IRL last week, Wilson now finds himself starting from the back foot with a new car, engine, and circuits to learn.

"We're certainly not in the same situation, competition-wise, starting the IndyCar Series season as we would have been in Champ Car", he said.

"Now that we are back to one series and we're racing on ovals and a lot of tracks I don't know, there are going to be a lot of changes.

"But Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing are proven winners and we will all work hard to be as competitive as possible this season. Ultimately, if we can work our way through the short term, it will be good for open wheel racing."

Wilson - whose team-mate will be American Graham Rahal - will have his first attempt at qualifying for IndyCar's showpiece event the Indy 500 in May. British drivers have won the race for two of the past three years.

NHLR become the second team to confirm their switch to the IRL, joining Conquest Racing.

IndyCar boss Tony George promised ChampCar squads a free chassis and engine supply for a year if they switched before the start of the season.