IndyCar – Pipo Derani: “This test will open a new door for me”

Winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring last year in IMSA with ESM, Luis Philip Derani had confirmed all his talent on the tests ofEndurance on the other side of the Atlantic on the sidelines of its program in WEC.

Enough to attract the favors of Ford and Chip Ganassi Racing for this season, since the 23-year-old driver will compete in the rounds of Silverstone in Great Britain, Spa in Belgium, and especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the Ford GT.

Before this new stage with the blue oval brand, the Brazilian was able to rediscover the atmosphere of the car during a test organized in Sebring, Florida. It’s with the single-seater IndyCar from James Hinchcliffe (Schmidt Peterson Motorsports – Honda) that Derani carried out this test, which, if it remains for the moment only a unique experience, could give ideas to the former resident of Formula Renault 2.0 and the F3.

“I am open to new things, admits the Paulist. I think this test will open a new door for me, but for now it's just a test. I'm really happy that Sam (Schmidt, team co-owner) gave me the chance to test an IndyCar car. This is something I've been waiting for for years. »

Luis Felipe Derani was not the only non-championship driver to try his hand at driving IndyCar single-seaters, since Canadian Robert Wickens, driver Mercedes en DTM, was also able to test the car of his compatriot Hinchcliffe.