Indianapolis, Indiana, February 9, 2007 – Conquest Racing is set for their 2007 Atlantic season after announcing that they have signed 2006 F3000 Italian Euro Champion, Giacomo Ricci, to drive their #18 Atlantic entry for the 2007 season. The young Italian will start his new adventure with the second-year Atlantic Team today as he joins teammate Matt Lee at the MSR Houston open test.
Ricci tested with the team at the beginning of January in Moroso and impressed everyone on hand.
“It was obvious after testing Giacomo in Moroso that he was ready to join the Atlantic Series,” said Eric Bachelart, owner of the Conquest Racing Team. “He was very competitive and it will be a pleasure to work with him throughout the season. We look forward to continuing with Giacomo the success we had last season with Graham Rahal. I’m extremely delighted to have this young talented driver join our Atlantic Team.”
Ricci started his career in karting in 1996 and moved up through the ranks competing in the Formula BMW series as well as in Formula Renault. These last few seasons he has been competing at the F3000 level and this past season he won the Italian and European Championships driving for Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella’s team, Fisichella Motor Sport. Ricci scored 13 podium finishes in 18 races including five wins. He sees coming to America as the next logical step in his career.
“I enjoyed working with Conquest Racing in Moroso very much so I am very happy to be joining the team this year. They work very well and they proved that they are competitive after finishing second in the championship last season with Graham (Rahal),” expressed Ricci. “I also like driving the Atlantic Swift car. Compared to an F3000 car it is much faster in the corners. I can’t wait to get in the car again to take part in the open test this week in order to prepare myself for the first race of the season.”
Racing and business advisor for the 21-year-old driver from Italy is former Champ Car driver Max Papis, who couldn’t be more pleased to see Ricci race in the top North American open-wheel ladder series.
“After a successful season last year, winning the European and Italian F3000 Championships, making the move to the United States is a great step in Giacomo’s career. It is also a great opportunity for Giacomo and his sponsors to be joining a championship caliber team like Conquest Racing,” said Papis. “I look forward to helping a talented young Italian driver like Giacomo and paving the road to his success in North America.”
Ricci and Matt Lee will be on track today and tomorrow for Conquest Racing at the MSR Houston track for the second of three Atlantic open tests