Barrichello “Super Pumped” for IMSA Debut in GTD Sub Role

Photo: Julien Delfosse/DPPI

Eduardo Barrichello says he’s “super pumped” to be making his IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut, as the second-generation racer reprises a FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 podium-finishing lineup for this weekend’s Battle on the Bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

The 23-year-old Brazilian has joined Aston Martin factory driver Valentin Hasse-Clot and Anthony McIntosh behind the wheel of the No. 19 Van der Steur Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo for the six-hour contest, after getting a call-up to fill in for the team’s regular Silver-rated driver, Rory van der Steur, who is recovering from injuries sustained a mountain biking accident.

It has resulted in an identical driver lineup that Swiss squad Racing Spirit of Leman utilized in the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo, as well as next weekend’s 6 Hours of Fuji, which has brought familiar continuity to the GTD class entry.

“I’m super pumped to be here,” Barrichello told Sportscar365. “It’s a good opportunity as well. Some of the boys I already know from the team I race in WEC. It really helps.

“I love the track. I love racing in America; I’ve always loved it. It’s just good to be here.”

While no stranger to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Road Course, having won two of the three USF2000 races at the circuit in 2020 en route to a runner-up finish in the junior open-wheel championship, Barrichello, the son of ex-Formula 1 legend Rubens, is soaking up the opportunity to race at the historic venue once again.

“I think the whole history of it,” he said. “My dad’s raced here and my dad won a Formula 1 race here as well (in 2002). It’s such a nice track; I love the layout.

“It’s a good opportunity for me.”

Barrichello said he thinks his transition to the Maryland-based team has been aided by the fact that he normally already co-drives with Hasse-Clot in WEC, while having a race’s worth of experience with Bronze-rated driver McIntosh, who is set to complete the WEC season with him after a starring performance in Brazil.

“I think it helps a lot,” he said of the driver continuity. “I already know the boys. I think that WEC, IMSA is all like family racing and you have to get along with the people you work with.

“It really helps getting to know them even more now in America.”

When asked about his objectives this weekend, Barrichello said his primary goal is to do a “good enough job” for the team in somewhat difficult circumstances.

“I think it’s pretty similar,” he said. “I just have to do a good enough job and I have to enjoy myself.

“I had eight laps myself [in first practice]. I could get used to the seat, get used to the different radio communications and stuff. It was good fun. Our car proved to be pretty quick so it’s a good start to the weekend.

“I just want to help the team and help everybody. Unfortunately Rory has an incident and he’s taking time to get his recovery done.

“In the meantime I just have to do a good enough job.”

Jonathan Grace contributed to this report

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John