2013 Audi A3

Sebastian Saavedra Gets Conquest IndyCar Ride

 
1,641 views Mar 14, 2011


Photo courtesy INDYCAR

Conquest Racing has signed Colombian Sebastian Saavedra to drive their No. 34 Dallara/Honda/Firestone Indy car for the full 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series season, the team announced as the official beginning of pre-season testing began.  

Saavedra competed with Conquest at the series' 2010 finale on the 1.5-mile Homestead-Miami Speedway oval in October last year and, according to owner Eric Bachelart, made a good first impression.

"We're delighted to have Sebastian back with us and this time for the complete season," Bachelart said.  "It was a pleasure working with him last year in the season finale and again last week at our test in Sebring, FL.  Sebastian has done a great job both times he has been in our car and I think we can expect some good things from him this season.  We're also happy to be keeping up our tradition of giving young, up and coming drivers the chance to take their careers to the next level."

Saavedra, 20 years of age, has spent a lot of time in open wheel cars, from the 2007 season when he scored a victory and four podium results in eight starts of the Formula BMW USA.  He won three of six starts in Formula BMW Asia and took a podium - in two starts - in the highly competitive Formula BMW ADAC in Germany.  Saavedra then finished fourth in the Formula BMW World Final.

From there he moved to ATS Formel 3 Cup in Germany and on to AFS/Andretti Green Racing and the Firestone Indy Lights Championship, top fun on the Indy car learning ladder, in 2009.  Saavedra earned third in the Indy Lights championship with two victories - also taking Rookie of the Year in the process.  

Last season Saavedra made 11 starts in Indy Lights with five top-five results, including a win from pole position at the challenging Iowa Speedway.  

Becoming the first driver born in the 1990s to compete in the historic Indianapolis 500, Saavedra was the final qualifier in 2010 - and learned of his successful qualification while recovering from a post-qualifying practice crash on the 2.5-mile Brickyard oval.  

It has always been Saavedra's goal to join the IndyCar Series.  "I"m excited to be entering my first full season; I've been working a long time towards this and for it to finally happen is fantastic.

"I'm also very happy to be back with Conquest Racing.  We had a good weekend together last year in Homestead and I really enjoyed working with everyone on the team.  I can't wait for the season to start.  I know it won't always be easy, but I am up for the challenge."

Saavedra is facing some preparatory challenges on the Barber Motorsports Park road circuit in preparation for the start of the IZOD IndyCar Series season opener, the Honda Grand Prix of St Petersburg, which takes place March 25-27 on the city street and regional airport circuit.

© 2011 Anne Proffit



Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • Notify me when there are more comments
 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Connect with Facebook

Motor Authority. Now with your friends.

Discover stories your friends read.
Share stories more easily.
You control what you share.
Learn more

Research New Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
MotorAuthority
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 MotorAuthority. All Rights Reserved. MotorAuthority is published by High Gear Media. Stock photography by Homestar, LLC. Send us feedback.