Photo: Gavin Baker Photography
Nicolas Giaffone and several USF Juniors rivals have secured their places on the 2024 USF2000 grid.
The 19-year-old Brazilian became 2023 USF Juniors champion by winning six races, finishing second in four others and claiming five poles while driving for DEForce Racing. He stays with the team as he steps up to the next level of the Road to Indy. Last year he was fifth in the Brazilian Formula 4 championship with three wins.
“DEForce is a team with a winning mindset, a team that doesn’t settle for second place,” said Giaffone. “In that sense, I identify a lot with them and I believe that with our hard work, commitment and passion for racing, we will be strong.”
The team has recently signed two other Brazilians. Nicholas Monteiro raced in Brazilian F4 last year, and jumped up to USF Pro 2000 for 2023 with NeoTech Motorsport. Two 11th places were his best results before switching teams for the season finale, and he finished 19th in the standings. Monteiro will stay in USFP2000 next year by joining DEForce.
“DEForce is a team that I’ve always admired and we are going strong in this new season,” said Monteiro. “Thank you to everyone at DEForce for believing in my potential and talent.”
For USF Juniors, DEForce has signed Bruno Ribeiro. He has tested through 2023 while also racing in Brazil’s entry-level Formula Evo.
Joey Brienza and Hudson Schwartz are the other USF2000-bound USF Juniors stars.
Exclusive Autosport’s Brienza started his rookie USF Juniors season with three poles, a win and two second places but his title challenge petered out and he came fifth in the standings. He stays with Exclusive for the step up.
“I’m looking forward to the upcoming season and the corresponding challenges that will come along with it,” said Brienza. “Over the past few years, our goal has been to prepare me for this exact season, so it’s very exciting to see what the year will hold.”
Pabst Racing has signed 14-year-old Schwartz, who took a pole and three podiums in USF Juniors.
He was fastest in USF2000’s post-season test on Indianapolis Motor Speedway’s road course in October, and that month he also won Lucas Oil School of Racing’s [LOSoR] entry-level Formula Car Race Series, which earned him $250,000 to spend on USF2000.
“I’m super excited to be joining Pabst for the 2024 USF2000 season,” said Schwartz. “With the support of LOSoR, I’m now carrying the momentum to USF2000. Going into this season, we have amazing speed and pace. I know that with all the hard work that Pabst and I will put in, we will be extremely competitive.”
United States F4 race-winner Michael Costello moves to USF2000 next year with Jay Howard Driver Development. He came fifth in the US F4 standings with the team as a rookie, taking three wins and two poles.
“I’m very excited to join JHDD again for 2024,” said Costello. “I can’t wait to see what is next with the USF2000 journey and what we can achieve together again in the upcoming season.”