SEBRING, Florida – Pietro Fittipaldi, the 2017 World Series Formula V8 3.5 champion and grandson of two-time Formula 1 and Indianapolis 500 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, is driving a Dale Coyne Racing car today at the Verizon IndyCar Series test at Sebring International Raceway.
Fittipaldi, 21, is behind the wheel of the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda in testing today, the car normally driven by returning veteran Sebastien Bourdais. Zachary Claman DeMelo is expected to drive the team's No. 19 Honda for a second straight day at Sebring, as team owner Dale Coyne determines who will drive it this season alongside Bourdais in the No. 18 entry.
DeMelo, 19, who made his Verizon IndyCar Series debut in a Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing Honda in the 2017 season finale at Sonoma Raceway, said Wednesday that he expects to be part of the Coyne program this season.
Fittipaldi arrived at the central Florida road course late Wednesday afternoon to undertake a seat fitting. He began his professional racing career in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, winning in Late Models for Lee Faulk Racing in 2011. He switched to the open wheel route in keeping with his last name beginning in 2013, winning Formula Renault (2014) and Formula 2000 (2015-16) championships.
In addition to his grandfather, Fittipaldi has more attachments to Indy cars. His uncle, Max Papis, and cousin, Christian Fittipaldi, also competed in the sport. Papis is currently one of INDYCAR’s race stewards.