Conquest Racing announced Tuesday that Mario Romancini had signed with the team for the upcoming IZOD IndyCar Series season. The 22-year-old Brazilian rookie will be graduating from the Firestone Indy Lights series, where he drove for the RLR/Andersen Racing team.
“We are thrilled to announce we have reached an agreement with Mario for the full year,” said Conquest Racing owner Eric Bachelart. “He is a young, talented driver who performed exceptionally during his 2009 rookie year in the Firestone Indy Lights Series, with particular excellence on ovals. Mario fits in well with our quest to develop new and promising drivers in the next step of their career. We look forward to helping him advance successfully in the IZOD IndyCar Series this season.”
Last year, Romancini claimed victories at the Milwaukee Mile and Homestead, while claiming four podium places in Indy Lights.
“I couldn't be more excited to move up to the IZOD IndyCar Series with a team like Conquest,” said Romancini. “I have been talking with a few teams since last October when the season ended, but after my first contact with Eric I knew we could make something really good happen. We know we will have a lot of work to do. We will be competing against very strong teams and experienced drivers, but with all the support from Eric and the Conquest team, I am confident that with every race we will get better.”
When asked about his feelings on his first IndyCar Series race taking place in his hometown, Romancini said: “Moving up to the IndyCar Series is already a feeling that is difficult to describe. I've been working really hard to be here since I started in karts, To have my first race in my hometown, in front of all my people, my family, and friends will be amazing! I am very excited for this moment and for sure couldn't ask for a better place.”
Bachelart added, "Brazilian culture has become increasingly important to the series, and our team is looking forward to learning more about it from Mario in his hometown.”
Romancini is scheduled to make his debut in the team's No. 34 chassis this week at the Barber open test in Alabama. Weather permitting, the schedule calls for IndyCar testing on Wednesday and Thursday on the Barber road course, with Indy Lights cars slated to hit the track on Friday.