Segal Returns to 8Star for Fuji

Photo: John Dagys

Following a fifth place finish in his FIA World Endurance Championship debut at Circuit of The Americas, Jeff Segal will return to the wheel of 8Star Motorsports’ Ferrari F458 Italia in next month’s round in Fuji.

The 29-year-old American will again team with full-season drivers Paolo Ruberti and Gianluca Roda in the orange-liveried GTE-Am class entry run by top Italian squad AF Corse.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be able to rejoin 8Star Motorsports and AF Corse for the upcoming FIA WEC event at Fuji,” Segal told Sportscar365. “Most of all, I’m greatly appreciative of the efforts of Amato Ferrari and Gianluca Roda to keep me with this program for another race.

“We showed a lot of promise through the weekend at COTA, and in many ways our result was not indicative of our potential as a team. Now we have another opportunity to show what we can do, and I think everyone is really motivated to reach the podium.”

Segal, who is on a race-to-race deal with the team, will be making his first trip to Japan as the he looks to build on the experience of his first FIA WEC event earlier this month.

“With that weekend of experience under my belt, it will be refreshing to arrive at Fuji with a lot more confidence, totally ready to hit the ground running,” he said.

“Knowing what to expect will provide a huge boost for me, particularly since the competition is so strong in this series. There is still the matter of learning a new track, but that’s a challenge that I really look forward to.”

The 8Star Ferrari is one of 28 entries set to take part in the fifth round of the championship, which is scheduled for Oct. 10-12.

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