Antonio Fuoco has been named as the newest driver in Ferrari’s works GTE Pro line-up in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The 25-year-old, who is also a simulator driver for the Scuderia, will partner Miguel Molina aboard the #52 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo for the full-season effort, thereby replacing Davide Rigon. Rigon suffered a back injury in a major crash at the Spa 24 Hours last year and is slowly making his return to active competition.
Fuoco spent the 2021 campaign racing with Cetilar Racing in the GTE Am category, taking a podium finish at the Spa opener before winning in Portimao.
“Honestly, I’m very happy about this opportunity,” he said. “Because it comes at the end of a path of growth in the world of closed-wheel racing from 2019 until today. I am happy to have this chance, and I hope to contribute to the team and Ferrari in 2022.”
Ferrari’s line-up in the sister #51 car remains unchanged in 2022. Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado, reigning champions in class, will continue to race together for their title defence against Porsche and Corvette.
“2021 was fantastic, and we won everything there was to win,” said Pier Guidi. “But in the end, in motorsport, you have to turn the page very quickly. We’re all starting from zero points and, once again, we’ll have to prove we’re the best and, to do that, we’ll give it our all.”
“This season will be very complicated for Ferrari because, in addition to its racing commitments, it will have to split its time between developing two new cars, which will make it all even more difficult. Still, we know how to find extra motivation and grit in these situations.”
“It’s the last year for GTE Pro in the WEC, and I’m personally very sorry because it’s a category I love. We want to do well and have another good memory of the 488 GTE that has given us so much satisfaction and success.”
