Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced that it has hired Pietro Fittipaldi to drive the #30 entry for the full 2024 IndyCar season.

The 27-year-old Brazilian, and grandson of two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, will race alongside Graham Rahal and Christian Lundgaard for the upcoming season.

Fittipaldi has made nine IndyCar starts in previous years, earning his experience with Dale Coyne Racing in 2018 and 2021.

He had planned to run more races after his Indy 500 run in May of 2021, but was forced to take time off to recover from broken legs suffered in a WEC accident at Spa Francorchamps.

Once healed, he returned to sportscar racing and earned a spot as the current Haas F1 reserve driver.

Fittipaldi’s return to IndyCar will see him compete in the full 17-race season for the first time, as well as the Thermal Club exhibition race in March.

“It’s an honor to join a team of the caliber of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” said Fittipaldi.

“With the experience I’ve gained over the last few years in F1 and other racing series, I am looking forward to the challenge of racing in IndyCar, one of the most competitive and versatile racing series in the world.

“I want to thank Mr. Rahal, Mr. Lanigan, and Mr. Letterman for the opportunity and their trust and confidence in me. I can’t wait to get started.”

RLL evaluated two drivers in the #30 after releasing Jack Harvey midseason, placing Conor Daly and Juri Vips behind the wheel in the final three races.

The intention was to find a driver that could take the reins for this upcoming season, but instead the team has called Fittipaldi over from his recent LMP2 sportscar campaign.

“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to have Pietro [Fittipaldi] join RLL as the driver of the #30 car,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal.

“He has had previous experience in IndyCar in doing partial seasons with Dale Coyne Racing and impressively qualifying 13th at Indianapolis in 2021.

“I got to meet him then and since that time he has worked hard to become the reserve driver for Haas F1’s team. And from our discussions, I have been impressed with the maturity and experience that he will now bring to our program.

“I look forward to seeing what he can do over a full season of IndyCar competition in 2024.”

Pietro Fittipaldi will return to the wheel of a Formula 1 car next month at Silverstone, as he takes part in a tyre test with Haas.

Fittipaldi has been Haas’ reserve driver for the last several seasons and competed in two races at the end of 2020 with the US-owned team.

The Brazilian took part in pre-season and post-season testing with Haas last year and was handed two FP1 outings in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.

The upcoming Pirelli tyre test will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday after the British Grand Prix.

Both of Haas’ full-time drivers Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen will drive the car on Tuesday morning and afternoon respectively before Fitipaldi jumps behind the wheel on Wednesday.

“I’m very happy to be back behind the wheel of a MoneyGram Haas F1 Team car, this time in Silverstone,” said Fittipaldi. 

“It’s going to be exciting for me because I’ve never driven a Formula 1 car around Silverstone and I think that’s one of the most classic tracks in the sport. 

“Just as I’m excited, I’m also focused on doing a great job for the team, trying to learn as much as possible for them in terms of car development. 

“The Pirelli tire test is going to be an important test and I’m very much looking forward to doing a great job for Haas. I want to thank the team for the opportunity to drive the VF-23.”

Haas team boss Guenther Steiner added: “There aren’t many reserve drivers who have the experience Pietro has, so his feedback on the VF-23 will prove invaluable to us.

“Pietro has always had an impressive work ethic and his passion to learn and support the team in its objectives has been key in his continuation with us. 

His full calendar of two other race programs only benefits MoneyGram Haas F1 Team and providing him time in this year’s challenger means he’s once again ready for any eventuality.”

Pietro Fittipaldi will continue as Haas’ Formula 1 test and reserve driver for a fifth consecutive season.

Fittipaldi joined Haas ahead of the 2019 campaign and stepped in to replace Romain Grosjean for the final two rounds of the 2020 season.

Fittipaldi was an outside contender to replace the exiled Nikita Mazepin prior to 2022 before Haas re-signed Kevin Magnussen on a multi-year deal.

Fittipaldi stayed on as Haas’ back-up, participating in two practice sessions per Formula 1’s regulations, and will retain the role for 2023.

“I’ve said before that continuity and consistency is key to success in Formula 1 and Pietro remaining with the team for 2023 makes me believe that we have strong foundations,” said Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner.

“In Formula 1, you need to be able to react within the smallest of margins to any scenario, and Pietro is a proven performer and is ready to step in at any time to get behind the wheel and drive, as he did twice in 2020.

“Last season he took part in pre-season testing, two free-practice sessions and post-season testing in the VF-22 and surprisingly unlike many drivers on the grid, he’s said this car suits his aggressive style, which is music to my ears when track time is so limited.

“He’s an asset to our team so I look forward to seeing his continuation with us this season.” 

Fittipaldi will dovetail his Haas duties with a race programme in the LMP2 division of the World Endurance Championship.

“I’m very happy to be continuing with Haas, a team that I consider family,” said Fittipaldi.

“Last year I did two free practice sessions, tested at the beginning of the year and at the end of season test so we’ve already been able to try some stuff for the new season.

“I’m excited to see the new car and new developments, and I hope that we’re able to make an even bigger step forward with the VF-23.”

Haas is the only team yet to set a launch date for its 2023 Formula 1 car.

Carlin has confirmed that Red Bull junior drivers Enzo Fittipaldi and Zane Maloney will race for it during the upcoming FIA Formula 2 Championship.

Both drivers were present at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi with the British team, gathering experience ahead of the new campaign.

Fittipaldi and Maloney are both newcomers to the Red Bull programme, having spent the 2022 year in F2 and Formula 3 respectively.

Fittipaldi raced for Charouz Racing System last season and impressed en route to eighth place in the Drivers’ Championship.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining Carlin and as well to be part of the Red Bull family for the 2023 season,” he said. “It’s an amazing opportunity and I can’t wait for the first race weekend in Bahrain.”

Maloney, who won the British Formula 4 Championship in 2019, was a title contender in F3 last season.

The Barbadian driver finished the year second in the standings with Trident, and competed the last F2 rounds in Abu Dhabi with the Italian team.

“Joining Carlin in F2 and to do so as part of the Red Bull Junior Team is a fantastic opportunity after my first year of F3 last season.

“I’m re-joining a team I know extremely well and have won a championship with before in F4.  I’ve seen first-hand how strong the team are in F2 and we had a great test together last year in Abu Dhabi.

“To embark on this journey in Red Bull colours is a dream come true and I’m incredibly excited to get the season underway in Bahrain next month.”

Pietro Fittipaldi will take part in two FP1 sessions later this year with Haas, fulfilling their rookie driver obligations.

All teams are required to dedicate two practice sessions to rookie drivers this season, giving them more experience behind the wheel of an F1 car.

Fittipaldi, who is Haas’ reserve driver, will get behind the wheel of the car in the latter stages of the season.

As per the regulations, both Kevin Magnussen and Mick Schumacher will be required to sit out one session each.

Fittipaldi already has experience with Haas’ 2022 F1 car, as he took part in pre-season testing in Bahrain earlier this year.

“I’m excited to announce that I will be doing FP1 in Mexico and Abu Dhabi,” Fittipaldi said. 

“I want to thank the Haas F1 team for the opportunity. I drove the car at the beginning of the year in Bahrain, but to get another chance to drive the VF-22, it’s going to be pretty amazing. 

“It’s a very fast car and I’m looking forward to driving in Mexico and Abu Dhabi.”

Despite having two grand prix starts to his name, Fittipaldi is still considered a rookie in the F1 regulations, and is therefore eligible for the sessions.

Fittipaldi made his F1 debut at the 2020 Sakhir Grand Prix, replacing Romain Grosjean who was involved in a frightening accident the weekend before.

Haas is set to run Antonio Giovinazzi in its car during FP1 next weekend at the US Grand Prix.

Haas’ Formula 1 reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi will drive for the team at the upcoming pre-season test in Bahrain.

The news was confirmed by team owner Gene Haas, who spoke recently to the Associated Press.

A full-time driving vacancy has arisen at Haas after it parted ways with title sponsor Uralkali and driver Nikita Mazepin earlier this week following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Fittipaldi has raced for Haas before, competing at the final two rounds of the 2020 season following Romain Grosjean’s fiery crash in Bahrain.

The Brazilian will be back behind the wheel of the car this week for the final three days of pre-season running before the start of the 2022 campaign, however he is not guaranteed to be Mazepin’s full-time replacement.

“We’re in the process of looking at several candidates, we’ll see who is available and what we have to deal with, but we’ll have somebody by Wednesday,” Haas said. 

“Pietro will definitely be in it, that’s what he’s for, he’s the test driver.

“I think we’re looking [for a full-time driver]. I think we’d obviously like to get someone with a bit more actual experience. We just have to see what’s available.”

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner spoke two weeks ago after Haas opted to drop Russian sponsor Uralkali’s logos for the final day of testing in Barcelona, stating team owner Gene fully backed the decision.

Providing his own comments on the situation, Haas said the “overwhelming criticism” of the invasion led the team to split from Uralkali.

“There was a lot of intense criticism about the Ukrainian invasion and it was just getting overwhelming,” Haas said. 

“We can’t deal with all that, our other sponsors can’t deal with all that.”

Haas Team Principal Guenther Steiner says Brazilian Pietro Fittipaldi would receive the “first call” if Nikita Mazepin loses his seat this year.

Mazepin’s future at the team has been thrown into doubt following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this week.

Haas is heavily funded by title partner Uralkali, with the Russian company owned by Mazepin’s father Dmitry.

At the final day of pre-season testing on Friday, Haas stripped all Uralkali branding from its car and ran a plain white livery as an immediate response to the situation in Ukraine.

Should Mazepin be ejected from the team, his seat would likely first go to Fittipaldi, who is listed as Haas’ reserve driver.

“If Nikita couldn’t drive for one or another reason, the first call would go to Pietro,” Steiner said. 

“Obviously, he is with us for a few years, and then we would see what we do next.”

Fittipaldi has been associated with Haas for a number of years, and raced for the team at the final two rounds of the 2020 season following Romain Grosjean’s crash in Bahrain.

Steiner says that Fittipaldi will be ready to jump into the car if needed, due to being around the squad for so long.

“Pietro is always around with us for a reason,” he said. “The last years, we needed a reserve driver, having Covid around, so he is always around.

“He knows the team, he knows the car. To jump in for one day to the other, there is nobody better than Pietro around at the moment.”

Steiner says Haas is expecting to resolve the situation with Uralkali “in the coming weeks”, but asserted that it will not impact the team financially if they sever ties. 

Enzo Fittipaldi has signed with Charouz Racing System for his first full season in Formula 2 this year.

The Brazilian linked up with Charouz last year for the last four rounds of the year, however an injury at Jeddah ruled him out of the Abu Dhabi finale.

Prior to his half-season in F2, Fittipaldi competed for Charouz in Formula 3, scoring a podium result in Hungary.

His best F2 result was a seventh-place finish at the second Sprint Race in Jeddah, prior to his Feature Race crash that saw him sit out the final round.

“For me, it’s a pleasure and an honour to be able to continue my adventure in Formula 2 with Charouz Racing System,” said Fittipaldi.

“Last season they gave me the opportunity to debut in this category after a good first part of the season in Formula 3 and this will allow me and the team to work immediately on the performance as from the first test sessions.

“It will be a long and demanding championship and the level of competitiveness has never been as high as this year, so it’s a great advantage not to have to spend the first testing days to get familiar with the car. 

“We definitely aim to be a regular presence in the top 10 positions, and we’ll certainly try to seize every opportunity to get some podium finishes and maybe some wins.”

Fittipaldi joins former eSports racer Cem Bolukbasi at the team for the season. Last year, Charouz ended the campaign 10th in the Teams’ standings.

Pietro Fittipaldi will stay on as Haas’ Formula 1 test and reserve driver for the 2022 season.

Fittipaldi, who has held the role since 2019, entered the final two rounds of 2020 in the aftermath of Romain Grosjean’s fiery accident in Bahrain.

Haas overhauled its driver line-up for 2021 but kept Fittipaldi in a back-up role and the US-born Brazilian will stay on for a fourth season.

“This was a very straightforward decision for us – to keep Pietro on as our official test and reserve driver,” said Team Principal Guenther Steiner.

“Pietro knows the inner workings of our team very well, having been with us for so long now. He proved to us last year that he was ready to step-up and drive when required and obviously his presence in the team this year has brought continuity as well.

“We’re delighted to continue our relationship and we look forward to having him onboard again in 2022.”

Fittipaldi added: “I’m naturally very happy and excited again by the opportunity to continue my association with Haas.

“I’ve been with the team for a few seasons now and they very much feel like family. I’ve learned a lot in my time and I hope I can keep contributing with the introduction of the new generation of Formula 1 car in 2022.

“It’s going to be exciting to see what’s coming with the new package and I’m obviously as keen as the rest of the team to see what the VF-22 will accomplish on-track.”

Enzo Fittipaldi has sustained a fracture to his right heel in the wake of a frightening start collision with Theo Pourchaire in Formula 2’s Feature Race in Saudi Arabia.

Pourchaire stalled from third place on the grid and was struck at high speed by the unsighted Fittipaldi.

Both were transported to a nearby hospital and remained conscious.

Fittipaldi’s elder brother, Haas F1 reserve Pietro, confirmed in an update that Enzo “is awake/alert and resting at the hospital.

“He has a fracture in his right heel but thankfully things are much better than what we all expected.

“Thank you to the FIA, the team and all the medical staff here in Saudi Arabia.”

Pourchaire was cleared of major injury in the impact but is not yet certain of his participation in this weekend’s final round in Abu Dhabi.

“Just wanted to tell you that I’m globally fine,” Pourchaire posted on his social media pages.

“For the moment I don’t know if it’s already the end of the season for me. But the most important is not that, that was a really big one and Enzo is injured. I wish him the best recovery possible!”

The truncated race was won by title leader Oscar Piastri.

It means Piastri is all but assured of this year’s championship, holding a 52.5-point advantage over team-mate Robert Shwartzman, with a maximum of 65 up for grabs.

Alfa Romeo-bound Guanyu Zhou technically remains in mathematical contention but is now 64.5 behind Piastri.