Just short of three months after breaking both legs in an accident in WEC, Pietro Fittipaldi will return to racing in the Verizon IndyCar Series this weekend at Mid-Ohio. Fittipaldi’s clearance was confirmed Wednesday by Dale Coyne Racing.
The 22-year old Brazilian and grandson of iconic racer Emerson Fittipaldi will run the remainder of the season in the #19 Dale Coyne Racing Honda after successfully completing his first test since the incident last week. The rookie was largely replaced by fellow rookie Zachary Claman De Melo, but will have an unimpeded ride throughout the rest of 2018.
“I was really happy with my first day back in the Paysafe car last week during our evaluation day,” Fittipaldi said in the team’s official release. “It was a big relief for me after two months of just doing a lot of training, physical therapy and working to be healthy and to be able to get back driving. To run my first laps last week was a really big relief because it showed that I was able to do it. I felt good and comfortable in the car and the test day went really well.”
Working with PitFit Training in Indianapolis since his accident at Spa-Francorchamps, Fittipaldi’s speedy return to the circuit is a testament to his rehabilitation and training. Having only made one series start at ISM Raceway, Mid-Ohio will be his first opportunity to race on a road course in IndyCar.
“Mid-Ohio will be my first Verizon IndyCar Series race weekend on a road course and I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I never raced at Mid-Ohio before, but I enjoyed it a lot during the test. It’s a really technical track. I think qualifying is going to be very important because there’s not that many places to overtake.”
“I just can’t wait to be on track again.”
