evo5_mat
20th March 2008, 15:27
Moraes joins Dale Coyne Racing
By Steven English Thursday, March 20th 2008, 11:32 GMT
Dale Coyne Racing have signed ex-British F3 racer Mario Moraes to partner fellow Brazilian Bruno Junqueira at the team in the IRL IndyCar Series this season.
The 19-year-old spent just one season in Britain after finishing runner-up in the SudAm F3 Championship in 2006. He originally planned to race in Champ Car and stayed with Coyne for the transition in the reunified series.
Moraes is looking forward to the challenge of oval racing this season.
"It's going to be totally different," he said. "It was quite a big step for me to Champ Car testing, and now there's another one to the IRL.
"I've never been on an oval before so it's going to be a new experience. I'll just try to learn as much as I can at the Homestead test next week."
Coyne is confident that Junqueira's experience on ovals will help Moraes to adapt quickly.
"We've run a lot of rookies in the Indy 500 and I've always enjoyed that challenge. I think between what Bruno and myself have been through, it will make Mario's trip a lot smoother."
Moraes drove the IndyCar for the first time at the Sebring test yesterday. His best time was 1.7 seconds slower than Will Power, who was quickest, but he only completed 15 laps. He will continue testing later today.
By Steven English Thursday, March 20th 2008, 11:32 GMT
Dale Coyne Racing have signed ex-British F3 racer Mario Moraes to partner fellow Brazilian Bruno Junqueira at the team in the IRL IndyCar Series this season.
The 19-year-old spent just one season in Britain after finishing runner-up in the SudAm F3 Championship in 2006. He originally planned to race in Champ Car and stayed with Coyne for the transition in the reunified series.
Moraes is looking forward to the challenge of oval racing this season.
"It's going to be totally different," he said. "It was quite a big step for me to Champ Car testing, and now there's another one to the IRL.
"I've never been on an oval before so it's going to be a new experience. I'll just try to learn as much as I can at the Homestead test next week."
Coyne is confident that Junqueira's experience on ovals will help Moraes to adapt quickly.
"We've run a lot of rookies in the Indy 500 and I've always enjoyed that challenge. I think between what Bruno and myself have been through, it will make Mario's trip a lot smoother."
Moraes drove the IndyCar for the first time at the Sebring test yesterday. His best time was 1.7 seconds slower than Will Power, who was quickest, but he only completed 15 laps. He will continue testing later today.