Enzo Fittipaldi leaves Ferrari for Andretti opportunity in USA

Ferrari Driver Academy

Fittipaldi leaves Ferrari for Andretti opportunity in USA

Enzo Fittipaldi joined the Ferrari Driver Academy at the end of 2016

Sam Hall

Tuesday 9 February 2021 14:29 Updated: 16:22

Enzo Fittipaldi has announced he has parted company with the Ferrari Driver Academy to pursue opportunities in the United States.

Fittipaldi joined the Ferrari junior programme in 2016 and competed last year in FIA Formula 3 on the F1 support bill having previously raced successfully in German and Italian F4, and finishing second in the 2018 Formula Regional European Championship with Prema.

Racing last year with HWA, Fittipaldi endured a difficult F3 campaign, finishing 15th in the standings, but his performances improved throughout the year as the Brazilian finished fifth in the final feature race of the season at Mugello, and fourth in the sprint race.

Article continues under video

Fittipaldi will compete in Indy Pro 2000 this year, racing with Andretti Autosport and RP Motorsport.

"I am very happy to announce that I will be racing in the Indy Pro 2000 series for Andretti/RP," said the 19-year-old via social media.

"With the move to the USA, I can no longer continue in the Ferrari Driver Academy. I have no words to say how grateful I am for all the support the FDA has provided me.

"I take all this learning with me and I want to thank each of the Ferrari members for helping me to develop as a driver and as a person! Full push in 2021! I am sure this is a step forward to reaching my goal of racing in F1 and Indycar!"

Fittipaldi, the grandson of two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi and brother of Haas reserve driver Pietro, recently took victory in the first F1 Virtual Grand Prix of the season at the Red Bull Ring.

Speaking in November, he expressed a desire to fight for wins this year.

He added: "I want to win. I missed the feeling when you are fighting for the victory. I am working very hard to be able to experience it again and want to finish regularly on the podium."