The 21-year-old has been on the hunt for a 2016 programme centered around the Indy 500 since making his proper IndyCar testing debut at Iowa back in July.

Now, he says he’s close to locking down a deal that will see him make his first start at the Brickyard.

“I’m pretty confident we can get it all done for the Indy 500,” he told Motorsport.com.

“I’m definitely a lot closer than I was last year. Obviously the Indy Lights stuff didn’t quite work out this year; I got in for a couple of races but then ran out of budget to finish of the season.

“Going into next year we have a full programme together, and we’re working night and day and throwing everything we have at it. We’ve had way more response this year, going into next year, than we had last year.”

Once an Indy 500 deal is locked away, Brabham will then look to add to it with more IndyCar outings.

"The Indy 500 is the focus at the moment, and if we get that done we can start expanding on it," he added.

"The first thing after that would be the road course at Indy, we’re building that into the programmes and everything we’re trying to do."

Andretti no certainty

While Brabham has enjoyed an ongoing relationship with Andretti Autosport since 2013, when he won the Pro Mazda title for the team.

That relationship continued into a partial Lights programme over the last two years, and a pair of Formula E outings last season.

However, when it comes to an IndyCar deal, Brabham says both he and the Andrettis understand that options have to be kept open up and down pitlane.

“It’s an ongoing relationship, they’re really nice to me and they’ve been really helpful with my career,” he added. “I wouldn’t be where I am without them, and they understand that too.

“But at the end of the day, [Michael Andretti] said to me ‘if any opportunities arrive in any other team, you have to take it. We can’t guarantee you a spot. We understand that, and you have to understand that, so don’t put all your eggs in one basket with us.’

“So we have to stay open to other teams in the paddock, and wherever the opportunity lies, we’re going to take it.”