Claman De Melo replaces injured Fittipaldi for GP of Indy
Indy Lights graduate Zachary Claman De Melo will replace the injured Pietro Fittipaldi for this weekend’s IndyCar race on the Indianapolis road course.
Claman De Melo and Fittipaldi had been slated to split the driving duties of the #19 car, with the Brazilian slated to drive the Indy road course and the Indianapolis 500.
But Fittipaldi’s injuries suffered in his crash during qualifying for the World Endurance Championship season-opener at Spa-Francorchamps have forced DCR into a rethink.
It has opted to give Claman De Melo the ride for this weekend, but DCR is currently searching for a stand-in at the Indy 500 and the Texas Motor Speedway.
“I’m extremely excited to get to race at the IndyCar Grand Prix this weekend aboard the #19 Paysafe car, but I’m sad that it’s under these circumstances,” said Claman De Melo.
“My thoughts are first and foremost with Pietro, you never want to see that happen to a competitor, much less a teammate.
“Getting to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is always special. I enjoyed racing there in Indy Lights and I can’t wait to now get a chance to drive there aboard an Indycar.
Katherine Legge has emerged as an early contender for the Indy 500 drive, although a proliferation of one-off drives for the 2018 race will make finding Fittipaldi’s replacement more difficult.
Claman De Melo has not been totally ruled out of continuing for the Indy 500, but team owner Dale Coyne suggested he was looking for a driver with more experience.
Fittipaldi is hoping to return to IndyCar for Mid-Ohio at the end of July, and will be heading to Indianapolis for the next stage of his treatment after he leaves Belgian hospital.
Be part of Motorsport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Top Comments
The one thing W Series needs in 2020 to continue its rise
Eaton "got it wrong" with initial W Series criticism
Hamilton still revisits texts from "great pillar" Lauda
New and familiar faces set for Homestead Road To Indy test
Coyne outlines likely revised Fittipaldi plan
Claman De Melo to sub for Fittipaldi at Indy 500
Sowery returns with Dale Coyne Racing for Toronto and Portland
McElrea set to make IndyCar debut in Toronto with Coyne
Dale Coyne picks the Top 10 drivers in his giant-slaying team
How van Gisbergen was eliminated from the NASCAR Xfinity playoffs
Parker Kligerman: "I don't know how to process" heartbreaking loss
Sam Mayer saves Xfinity title hopes with dramatic Roval win
Shane van Gisbergen beats Reddick to Cup pole at the Charlotte Roval
When McLaren conquered F1 and the Indy 500
How the wider motorsport world reacted to Senna’s death
The apprenticeship that will aid Ilott's IndyCar to WEC switch at Jota
The long evolution of Dallara's Indy 500 winner
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
