Photo: Motopark
Fernando Barrichello, son of Formula 1 grand prix winner Rubens, will step up to Euroformula this year with Motopark.
Since 2022 the 18-year-old Brazilian has been racing in Formula 4, coming seventh in his home nation’s championship as a single-seater rookie with two wins and two other podiums and then embarking on a multi-continental programme in 2023.
He began last year in F4 United Arab Emirates with Carlin, after initially signing with Xcel Motorsport, and from three rounds he took a best finish of 21st and came 42nd in the standings. Next on his schedule was Spanish F4, and he raced for Monlau Motorsport in that championship.
He scored six points in the opening round but then failed to visit the top 10 again and slumped to 17th in the standings. Alongside that he raced in Brazilian F4, and despite missing round one he came fifth in the championship with six podiums.
“I am super exited to be able to have this opportunity to race for Motopark this year in the Euorfomula Open championship,” said Barrichello.
“We had the opportunity to work together on a test in the end of last year and it was incredible. The team welcomed me very warmly and showed me that we have the possibility to fight for the title this year, and I will give it my all. I am grateful to have this opportunity to work with the team this year and hopefully we can score some wins and fight for the championship.”
Barrichello is Motopark’s third signing for Euroformula, with no other teams so far in the Formula 3-level series having announced drivers for 2024.
Timo Rumpfkeil, Motopark’s team principal, added: “Fernando enjoyed a good test with us in December 2023 where he showed great speed. It will be important for Fernando to adapt quickly to the Dallara 320, since this is still a big step up from F4. I’m confident that he has the talent to take this challenge on successfully.”