MOORESVILLE, N.C. — One of the most colorful drivers in IndyCar is teaming with one of its most colorful team owners as Santino Ferrucci joins A.J. Foyt Racing as the driver of the No. 14 Chevrolet next season.
Ferrucci will join rookie driver Benjamin Pedersen on Foyt’s team that currently includes two drivers. Ferrucci’s car will be prepared in Waller, Texas. Pedersen’s ride will be out of the Speedway, Ind., race shop.
Team President Larry Foyt consulted with his famous father, the first four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 as a driver, about bringing Ferrucci to the team for 2023. The senior Foyt had chatted with the curly-haired youngster on several occasions this year and liked his attitude.
“I am thrilled to welcome Santino to the team,” Larry Foyt said. “He’s shown a knack for getting towards the front of the field, and I think he is a racer who moves forward on race day. A.J. sees the fire in him and has enjoyed their meetings together. I think Santino’s experience will help his rookie teammate as well, so he is a great addition to our roster.”
Ferrucci is equally enthused about the move to A.J. Foyt Racing.
“It’s going to be a very unique opportunity to work with both A.J. and Larry closely to build a new program,” he said. “To race for a legend like A.J. Foyt — it’s a dream come true. I like to think of myself as an “old school” driver who likes loose race cars and gets behind the wheel of anything with four wheels and an engine. So, driving for a guy like A.J., knowing that he drove everything throughout his career, it’s going to be a chance of a lifetime for me.”
The Connecticut native made his debut in America’s premier open-wheel series in 2018 when Dale Coyne Racing chose him to drive for Pietro Fittipaldi, who was injured in a sports car crash.
Until then, Ferrucci had been focused on driving in Formula 1, having moved to Europe at the age of 14 to compete in various junior formulas. Ferrucci holds the record for the youngest British Formula 3 Series winner at the age of 16 and has also raced in the FIA Formula 2 Championship. He has also driven for the Haas F-1 team as a development driver from 2017-’18.
“IndyCar became my goal after leaving F-1 in 2018,” Ferrucci revealed. “I finished up my season in Europe and was asked to fill in for Pietro (Fittipaldi) in the Detroit Grand Prix. I instantly fell in love with the cars, the style of racing and the people. That’s when I knew that IndyCar needed to be my new home.”
Ferrucci signed a full season deal with Dale Coyne Racing in 2019 and earned Rookie of the Year honors in his first Indianapolis 500 after finishing seventh. Since then, he has competed in three additional Indianapolis 500 races, and Ferrucci has never finished outside of the top 10. In 2020, Ferrucci had his best finish of fourth.
When a full season ride didn’t materialize in 2021, Ferrucci found himself in the role of a “super sub” driver. However, Ferrucci didn’t sit idle waiting for the phone to ring. He inked a deal to drive for Sam Hunt in the NASCAR Xfinity Series — making nine starts over the last two years.
Ferrucci participated in the 2021 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals where 300-plus midgets race over the course of six nights on a quarter-mile clay track inside the Tulsa Expo Center.
Ferrucci didn’t make it to the final 24-car field, but his debut in midgets was memorable enough that he’s interested in doing it again.
When Ferrucci was asked if his varied experience helped him to adapt quickly to the Indy car, he replied, “Yes and no. I’ve driven everything from dirt cars to stock cars to go-karts to Indy cars to F-1 cars and driving Indy cars demands a very unique driving style. It’s definitely the type of car where uncomfortable is fast — and it’s very hard to be comfortable with being uncomfortable.”
For the last two years, Ferrucci seemed to be the go-to guy when race teams needed a substitute driver. While appreciative to receive the calls, Ferrucci is thrilled he won’t be available for subbing in 2023.
“It’s incredibly exciting to be back in the IndyCar Series full time,” said Ferrucci. “Being a part-time driver over the last two years has been hard for me, personally. I’m a race car driver and I want to compete. Working with different teams has been exciting, and I’m proud that no matter which car I’ve raced, I’ve always shown speed and consistency. I couldn’t be more excited to join A.J. Foyt Racing in the 14 Chevy.
“I can’t wait to make the best of it.”