Enzo Fittipaldi joined the Red Bull Youth Team program and run with Pug in the Formula 2 FIA championship, it was announced on Saturday.
The Brazilian, who was part of the Ferrari Drivers Academy before withdrawing from this program in early 2021, competed with the Charouz race system team in Formula 2 this year, and despite being part of a team not usually known for fighting up front, he has achieved six podiums and sits sixth in the standings heading into the final round of the season.
Fittipaldi has revealed serious talks have started with the Red Bull adviser Dr. Helmut Marko after impressing during the Hungarian round of the season in July, with the first meeting taking place a few weeks later in Belgium. From there the talks continued and at his home event in Brazil the deal was unveiled.
“I think after my result in Budapest where I got two podiums in the same weekend, we started (talking)”, said Fittipaldi to RUNNER. “I’ve always had a bit of contact since last year with Dr Helmut Marko, then at Spa this year we had a meeting – so after Budapest – and we talked and I’m very happy to report that I am now part of the Red Bull family.
“The junior team is an incredible opportunity for me.”
Fittipaldi hopes the deal will boost his chances of making the move FIA Formula 1 World Championship to some extent, with possible free practice outings possible with either Oracle Red Bull Racing Where Scuderia Alpha Tauri from next season.
“It’s hard to say now – I still have to do a very good job in Abu Dhabi,” Fittipaldi added. “I’m fighting for third place in the Formula 2 championship, I have the race next week so it’s really important that I do a good job there, so the target is to finish in the top three this year.
“Let’s say Abu Dhabi is very important to me. It is very important that I do a good job there. We’ll see what comes next.
“Of course being part of a (Formula 1) team has always been a dream for me, especially Red Bull – the champion team, the best team in Formula 1 – it’s a dream for me. All I can do is thank Dr Helmut Marko, Red Bull, (team principal) Christian Horner – this is an incredible opportunity, now is the time to work, work hard and keep pushing.
Dr Marko said Red Bull has been impressed with Fittipaldi’s performance in Formula 2 this year with a team not known to be favourites, and he will switch to Carlin next year to continue his impressive start.
“That he played in a midfield team, I would say,” Marko is quoted as saying by Motorsport.com. “He was always there at the top.
“I think he’s had his ups and downs. And now he knows there’s a chance. He’ll be with Carlin, which is a top team. And he’s a character.
“We will see how he behaves. As always, with results.
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