JACK Hawksworth has earned a drive with star team AJ Foyt Racing in next year's Verizon IndyCar Series.

The 23-year-old from Cullingworth will drive car No 41, while veteran Takuma Sato returns for a third year in the No 14 car as AJ Foyt and his son Larry expand the line-up to two cars after 12 years as a single-seater operation.

The expansion has come about thanks to sponsors ABC Supply Co Inc, who return for a tenth season and have also confirmed their backing for 2016, when the Indy 500 celebrates its centenary.

The Dallaras will be powered by Honda engines, with a new workshop being purchased in the shadow of Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hawksworth won the IndyCar's Tony Renna Rising Star Award this year and Keith Rozolis, president and chief executive officer of ABC Supply Co Inc, said: "We are excited to have Takuma Sato back driving the No 14 car and we look forward to watching Jack Hawksworth show us what he can do in the No 41 car."

The Yorkshire ace was a rookie this season but qualified in the top six in three of his first half dozen races and posted his best finish of the year – third – in Houston.

Hawksworth said: "This is a great opportunity for me. Ultimately I want to win races and I feel that this is the place I can do that.

"We've got everything in place – a great sponsor in ABC and good people who build quick cars, so we have the potential to build something really special.

"That's what excites me. It's a growing project and I want to grow with it, be a part of it and be a part of its success."

Sato, who had two pole positions in 2014, added: "It is absolutely fantastic news that AJ Foyt Racing is expanding to a two-car team.

"I really feel positive about it and welcome Jack in joining us. I am thrilled to continue racing in IndyCar for a sixth season and being with the same team for the third straight year.

"The continuity of working with my engineer Don Halliday and the same crew gives us a strong momentum in learning and more confidence overall."

Perhaps the most thrilled with the expansion is team director Larry Foyt, who said: "It's great having the continuity of Takuma Sato and Don Halliday working together for another year. We know Takuma can win on any given weekend in the 14 car.

"As well, having who I feel is a future superstar – Jack Hawksworth – join the team gives me twice the reasons to be excited.

"I appreciate the commitment he is making to the team by moving to Texas and I think the combination of him and young engineer Raul Prados will produce some stellar results.

"And I can't end without giving a Texas-sized thank you to my dad. At nearly 80, he certainly doesn't need the stress and concerns of a multi-car race team but he has been supportive and behind me 100 per cent.

"Now we have to put the finishing pieces in place and produce because you know with AJ only one thing matters – winning."

Foyt senior, who has not run two cars since 2002, added: "Running two cars is nothing new for me but it's been a while.

"I always said we wouldn't do it again unless we had the proper people and support to do it right.

"We've got two drivers who love winning – almost as much as I do – and our sponsor ABC Supply, whose support is only outdone by their loyalty. I'm looking forward to next year being the best one yet."