Pizzonia to drive in Brazilian V8 Stock Cars

[Johnny]

That's right. Another Ex-F1 driver in the championship.

It's not confirmed yet in which team and if it will be for the rest of the season, but he is confirmed to have a place on the Qualify for the next round at Londrina.

Pizzonia was driving for FMS (Fisichella's team) in GP2. The person that revealed this information, said that he's already testing the car at Campo Grande, so he starts at Londrina with some knowledge of the car.

It's worth mentioning that Antonio Pizzonia story is kinda sad. He was a very promising driver, winning the English F3 Championship. But after his terrible F1 experiences, his career went down. Tried Champ Cars, GP2, ... I think he even got a chance at the terrible Brazil A1 Team.

I hope he have a nice experience with the Brazilian Stock Cars.

 

[Muzaffar]

I think the Brazilian Stock Cars Championship is like the "losers pool" for former F1 drivers.Seen too many F1 drivers in that series.

from wikipedia
Former Formula One drivers in the category:

* Ingo Hoffmann (since the first race of the category in 1979)
* Raul Boesel (1979, 2003 - 2005)
* Alex Dias Ribeiro (1980s)
* Chico Serra (1980s - )
* Wilson Fittipaldi (1980s - early 1990s)
* Tarso Marques (2005 - )
* Christian Fittipaldi (2005 - )
* Luciano Burti (2005 - )
* Enrique Bernoldi (2007)
* Ricardo Zonta (2007)

 

[Johnny]

Christian Fittipaldi is not racing this year.

Anyway, you can say that. But it doesn't mean the championship isn't very competitive and the races are a lot of fun.

Brazil "exports" too many racing drivers, and not all of them manage to achieve sucess. Brazilian drivers race pretty much anything. Most of them lack sponsorship, some don't have great opportunities, while others simple fail when they have to show good results (Pizzonia and Zonta are good examples).

Also, lots of mechanics and engineers find a place to work internationally, like Ricardo Divila, Copersucar-Fittipaldi Main engineer / chassis designer that work nowadays at NISMO and is responsible for the Super GT cars.

Actually this is worth mentioning. Copersucar-Fittipaldi was the first step for many succesful careers
Ricardo Divila conquered more than 20 titles in international motorsport, Keke Rosberg was champion one year after driving for Copersucar-Fittipaldi, Adrian Newey, designer of Fittipaldi Automotive for 1979 and 80, conquered the world titles in 92, 93, 96 and 97. Also, Harvey Postlethwaite, designer in 1980 and 1981, conquered the 1982 constructors championship at Ferrari.

 

[Johnny]

Antônio Pizzonia was confirmed today to drive for a new team, Win Motorsport / VW Bora.
The other driver of the team will be Renato Jader David

Here's the press release: (Sorry for the crappy translation)



Antonio Pizzonia started his career in 1991 in karts, where he stayed till 1996. In 1997, he finished in 2nd place at the F-Vauxhall Junior Championship, and on the next year he won the championship. In 1999 he won the British F-Renault championship and finished 2nd on the European F-Renault Championship. Also won the 2000 British F3 Championship.

In 2003, Pizzona drove for Jaguar Racing in Formula 1. Next year he drove for Williams F1 and conquered 6 points. Now the "Jungle Boy", like he's known in Europe, will drive on the Stock Car Nextel Cup, for Win Motorsport (Volkswagen Bora). Pizzonia talked about his adaptation to touring cars and his expectations of driving on the main brazilian autoracing series.

- How the Stock Car entered your plans?
It was a surprise, at least for this season. I always wanted to get back racing here in Brazil, but wasn't in my plans to join in the middle of the season. I got the invitation and couldn't say no.

- How were the test at the Campo Grande Circuit.
Very good. Obviously to me everything is a lot different to what i'm used to drive. It was more an adaptation test, so i could get used to the car. It was very produtive, but of course there's still a lot for me to get used to.

- And how's is going your adaptation to a touring car?
It's a slow thing, because everything is so different. I have no experience with touring cars and i don't know almost any tracks here in Brazil, specially the new ones like Santa Cruz do Sul. It's a big challenge, but i think i'm ready.

- What's your expectation for this race weeked?
I'll try to qualify. First i need to qualify for the race, and if i managed to get points in the race, it would be even better.

- In all the Racing Series you drove, you got great results. Do you believe you could do the same in the Stock Car Nextel Cup?
That's the intention, no matter the racing series i'm driving. The intention is always to be on the top positions. Of course that starting in the middle of the season, with the experience i have, that is practically zero, in relation to the car and track setups, is extremely difficult. I can't expect imediative results.

- What the fans can expect from the "Jungle Boy" on the racetracks?
It's difficult to expect great results, imediately. The people have to be a little patient, so i can get used to everything and soon i plan to be at least on the TOP 10.