Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing has announced that it has hired Pietro Fittipaldi to drive the #30 entry for the full 2024 IndyCar season.
The 27-year-old Brazilian, and grandson of two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, will race alongside Graham Rahal and Christian Lundgaard for the upcoming season.
Fittipaldi has made nine IndyCar starts in previous years, earning his experience with Dale Coyne Racing in 2018 and 2021.
He had planned to run more races after his Indy 500 run in May of 2021, but was forced to take time off to recover from broken legs suffered in a WEC accident at Spa Francorchamps.
Once healed, he returned to sportscar racing and earned a spot as the current Haas F1 reserve driver.
Fittipaldi’s return to IndyCar will see him compete in the full 17-race season for the first time, as well as the Thermal Club exhibition race in March.
“It’s an honor to join a team of the caliber of Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing,” said Fittipaldi.
“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.”
RLL evaluated two drivers in the #30 after releasing Jack Harvey midseason, placing Conor Daly and Juri Vips behind the wheel in the final three races.
The intention was to find a driver that could take the reins for this upcoming season, but instead the team has called Fittipaldi over from his recent LMP2 sportscar campaign.
RLL evaluated Daly and Vips in the final races of 2023. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
“I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to have Pietro [Fittipaldi] join RLL as the driver of the #30 car,” said team co-owner Bobby Rahal.
“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.”
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