Pietro Fittipaldi will make his NTT IndyCar Series return with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, stepping into the No. 30 Honda piloted for most of 2022-2023 by Jack Harvey and by Juri Vips during the final two races of the recently-completed season.
Fittipaldi, who drove for Dale Coyne Racing during two stints starting in 2018, completes RLL’s three-car lineup led by Christian Lundgaard and Graham Rahal, who is expected to sign another extension to remain in the family-owned team.
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“I am extremely proud and honored to join Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” Fittipaldi said. “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.”
Fittipaldi’s latest duties have involved Formula 1 where the 27-year-old served as Haas F1’s test and reserve driver and in various sports car racing outings, primarily in Europe.
Vips was another leading candidate for the No. 30 opportunity after impressing the team in Portland and Monterey, but RLL opted for Fittipaldi, who also brings extensive oval experience to the operation.
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to have Pietro join RLL as the driver of the No. 30 car,” team co-owner Bobby Rahal said. “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.”