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Formula V8 3.5 champion Pietro Fittipaldi will join the IndyCar grid for 2018, having signed a part-time deal to race with Dale Coyne Racing.

As predicted by Autosport, Fittipaldi will share the #19 seat in 2018 and contest seven races, having impressed DCR in a maiden test at Sebring last month and again at Sonoma this week.

Fittipaldi's calendar will include the Indianapolis road course race ahead of a first attempt at the Indy 500 - an event his two-time Formula 1 champion grandfather Emerson won twice.

"This is a dream come true, even more so to be racing in the Indy 500, where my family already has a history of great results," said Fittipaldi.

"I want to thank the entire team at Dale Coyne Racing, along with [primary backer] Escuderia Telmex for this massive opportunity and important step in my career.

"It's no secret that I also have an objective to one day race in Formula 1, so I'm excited to be racing on a world stage like IndyCar this year."

Fittipaldi will test with DCR at the Phoenix open test this week ahead of his debut IndyCar race at the same venue in April.

He will also race at Texas, Mid­-Ohio, Portland and the final round of the season at Sonoma on September 16.

The identity of the driver Fittipaldi will share the #19 seat has not yet been confirmed.

He is widely expected to share the seat with Indy Lights graduate Zachary Claman DeMelo, who has tested alongside Fittipaldi in recent days.