IndyCar is the leading open-wheel racing series in the USA, and ex-Formula 1 drivers such as Mick Schumacher, Marcus Ericsson and Romain Grosjean all raced in the series last year.
The biggest IndyCar race is the Indianapolis 500, which takes place every May in front of more than 230,000 spectators and is considered one of motorsport’s ‘Triple Crown’ events, alongside Formula 1’s Monaco Grand Prix and the Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race.
Britain’s Louis Foster will drive for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing for the full 2027 campaign, while Katherine Legge and Jack Harvey both raced at the Indy 500 last year in one-off outings.
With the success of Spanish five-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou, the 2027 calendar will return to Europe with a round in Barcelona in July, and the rest of the season takes place on street courses, ovals and more traditional circuits in the USA and Canada.
Despite having only one morning testing in an IndyCar, Dunne said he “definitely likes what I’ve seen so far” and it was a series that had always interested him.
“I think naturally, with the path that I’ve been on and what I’ve worked towards, the goal will always be to be a Formula 1 driver,” he said.
“I think there comes a time when, realistically, that chance becomes more difficult, and I’ve always said that the next best option for me and the thing I’d love to do most has always been IndyCar.”
Portadown’s Adam Carroll was the last driver from the island of Ireland to drive in IndyCar, when he competed in two races in 2010.