Ferrucci back in 2023 with full-time job at Foyt Racing

Santino Ferrucci is once again a full-time competitor in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. He will drive the legendary AJ Foyt Racing #14 Chevrolet in 2023.

Ferrucci’s car will be prepared from the team headquarters in Waller, Texas, while new teammate Benjamin Pedersen’s car will be prepared from Foyt’s shop in Indianapolis.

Ferrucci, 24, from Connecticut, raced full-time in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES for the last time in 2020 with Dale Coyne Racing and Vasser-Sullivan. For the past two years he has been a capable back-up for Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and Juncos Hollinger Racing, as well as racing the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge for RLLR and Dreyer & Reinbold Racing.

Ferrucci has recorded six top-10 finishes in eight NTT INDYCAR SERIES starts over the past two seasons, including back-to-back finishes of sixth in the Indy 500 and the 2021 Chevrolet Grand Prix at Belle Isle for RLLR. He also recorded four top-10 finishes in the Indy 500 in four career starts, including a best finish of fourth in 2020.

« It’s incredibly exciting to be back in the INDYCAR series full time, » said Ferrucci. “Being a part-time driver for the past two years has been difficult for me personally. I am a racing driver and I want to compete. Working with different teams has been exciting, and I’m proud that whatever car I’ve driven, I’ve always shown speed and consistency.

“I couldn’t be more excited to join AJ Foyt Racing in the Chevy 14. I can’t wait to make the most of it. »

Team President Larry Foyt has consulted with his famous father about bringing Ferrucci into the team fold for 2023. Four-time Indianapolis 500 winner AJ Foyt has spoken with Ferrucci several times this year and enjoyed his attitude.

« I’m thrilled to welcome Santino to the team, » said Larry Foyt. « He’s shown a knack for getting closer to the front of the peloton, and I think he’s a rider who pushes forward on race day. AJ sees the fire in him and enjoyed their encounters together. I think Santino’s experience will also help his rookie teammate, so he’s a great addition to our roster. »

Ferrucci is equally enthusiastic about joining AJ Foyt Racing.

“It will be a unique opportunity to work closely with AJ and Larry to put together a new program,” he said. “Running for a legend like AJ Foyt is a dream come true. I like to think of myself as an “old school” driver who loves loose race cars and gets behind the wheel of anything with four wheels and an engine. So to drive for a guy like AJ, knowing that he’s driven everything throughout his career, it’s going to be the chance of my life. »

Like his new boss AJ Foyt, Ferrucci has shown he is ready to race in a variety of machines. For the past three years, he has driven a midget in the Chili Bowl Nationals and the NASCAR Xfinity Series in addition to his NTT INDYCAR SERIES debut.

Ferrucci joined the NTT INDYCAR SERIES in 2018 as an injury replacement for Pietro Fittipaldi with Dale Coyne Racing, beginning racing for the team full-time in 2019. Ferrucci earned Rookie of the Year honors in the 500 miles of Indianapolis after finishing seventh in 2019, one of his seven top-10 finishes that season.

Prior to coming to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Ferrucci raced in Formula 2 and other open wheel junior formulas in Europe. He was a development driver for the Haas F1 Team in 2017-18.

“INDYCAR became my focus after leaving F1 in 2018,” Ferrucci said. “I finished my season in Europe and was asked to replace Pietro in the Detroit Grand Prix. I instantly fell in love with the cars, the racing style and the people. That’s when I knew INDYCAR was to be my new home. »