Carlin Racing has competed successfully in Indy Lights for the past three seasons, amassing 12 race wins, and guiding Ed Jones to the 2016 drivers’ championship. Team boss Carlin has also long admitted that eventually he planned to enter the Verizon IndyCar Series.

In the past month there have been exploratory talks between Carlin and McLaren regarding an IndyCar venture, and with Chip Ganassi Racing cutting Max Chilton and Charlie Kimball loose, there have also been assumptions that this pair would end up at Carlin. Chilton’s father Grahame, is a co-owner of Carlin and CEO of Max’s title sponsor, Gallagher & Co.

Although he wouldn’t go into such specifics, Trevor Carlin told IndyCar’s official website: “When we start something, we like to stay in it. There hasn’t been a right moment in the past, but I think the right moment is approaching.

“I’m not going to stand here now and say it’s a done deal, but I would say that the odds on us being on the grid next year are the highest they’ve ever been. It’s just a case of putting the package together now.”

Carlin went on to explain that although the introduction of universal aerokits had made for an easier expansion to IndyCar, he’d already tabbed 2018 as his first year at the top level of U.S. open-wheel racing.

“That’s a bonus for us, really,” Carlin said. “I think we would have been looking to do it next year anyway. The fact is, the new aero kit is perfect because, obviously the big teams have got massive resources where they can do testing and aero this and that, but I think that it does level the playing field for a team like us that could come in.”