A fresh new face in IndyCar, as Formula 2 graduate Luca Ghiotto is making his debut for Dale Coyne Racing with Rick Ware Racing in Alabama this weekend. The Italian will drive the #51 car in both this weekend’s race at Barber Motorsports Park and the next race at the IMS Road Course.
Ghiotto drove 5 full-time seasons in Formula 2/GP2, and definitely left the series behind after a one-off return in Monza where he replaced Roy Nissany who served a race ban. He gathered seven victories and three pole positions, but failed to make the step up to Formula 1. Currently, the GP3 runner-up of 2015 drives in the European Le Mans Series for Inter Europol Competition.
“I’m very excited to be making my NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut this weekend at Barber Motorsports Park,” the one-time F1-tester said. “I’ve spent the majority of my career overseas but was always intrigued and wanting to try IndyCar. It will be my first time driving this car and my first time at this track, so there’s a steep learning curve and challenge ahead of me, but I am very much looking forward to it.”
Team owner Dale Coyne, who already had Nolan Siegel and Colin Braun driving his #51 entry, said: “We know it won’t be an easy first race for Luca jumping in the car like this with no testing whatsoever.
“That said, he has plenty of experience in different types of race cars and has proven himself over the years. We look forward to seeing what he can do in the next two races and know that he will bring experience and knowledge to the team.”
Ghiotto’s teammate will be Jack Harvey, who drives the #18 car.
