Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing’s new driver Pietro Fittipaldi, who will drive the No.30 Honda Dallara in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2024 says that the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge next May is the race that he is most looking forward to. Speaking to Paddock Eye during a media conference call on Monday, Fittipaldi said:
The Indy 500.
BOBBY RAHAL: Good answer.
Fittipaldi went on to say:
I think everyone wants to win the Indy 500. It’s one of those races, you win that race, you’re in the history books. It’s not easy to win it. A lot of people say the track and the race chooses the winner in some years.
But, yeah, I’m looking forward to the event, taking it step by step. It’s a whole process at Indy. Managing your energy throughout the whole two race weeks there, then being able to perform on qualifying day and race day. Yeah, it’s a one-of-a-kind thing definitely.
Speaking to Paddock Eye about how the different categories that Fittipaldi has raced in since his last spell in INDYCAR will help Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, Bobby Rahal said:
First I really believe that the more things you can drive, it can just enhance your ability. Whatever series you want to focus on, obviously the experience of running P2, Formula 1 cars, World Series Renault, whatever, as Pietro said, all that experience just makes you even further prepared for making the next steps. I think that’s an advantage.
Pietro, I asked him how old he was. He said he’s 27. I said, I think that’s perfect because that’s the kind of experience you want coming into a team. I believe, frankly, a driver’s sweet spot in terms of years is from about the age of 27 to 37 to maybe 40.
Him bringing all of those different types of experiences in is just a huge plus in my mind. So I have no doubt that his experience in those many different formulas can be of great value to the organization this year.
The 2924 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season gets underway on March 10 with the Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding.