SCCA Pro Racing

Eduardo Barrichello and Steve Bamford confirm entry for the 2018 F4 U.S. Season

The field for the 2018 Formula 4 United States Championship Powered by Honda continues to grow as one of its newest teams DC Autosport announced its driver line-up today.  Team owner Don Conner confirmed that veteran open-wheel driver Steve Bamford of Toronto will return for his third F4 U.S. season joined by series freshman Eduardo Barrichello, the 16-year-old son of former F1 superstar Rubens Barrichello, under the DC Autosport tent.  The duo began testing in January with the team in preparation for the season opener at Virginia International Raceway on April 27-29.

Conner, a key staff member of the successful Cape Motorsports operation, is a paddock veteran, and extremely motivated to continue Cape’s level of performance with his own team. Conner will still work closely with Dominic and Nicholas Cape in a technical collaboration for 2018. With two drivers signed for the year, the team still has one seat available for its inaugural 2018 season.

“I’m certainly ready to get the season underway. We are primed and ready for the official series test at NOLA Motorsports Park this weekend,” said Conner. “I’m extremely excited to have Eduardo on-board with us. He’s talented and has great passion for the craft, which has no doubt been passed down from his father. I’m honored that Rubens has chosen to trust us with Eduardo’s entry into open-wheel racing, and I know that our goal will be to win the championship. Pairing him with a veteran like Steve provides a stable atmosphere for him.”

Barrichello developed his considerable talents in national and international karting events, starting his career in 2010. The Brazilian raced extensively in the Rotax Max series, the Florida Winter Tour, the Superkarts! USA Pro Tour and he has logged countless victories in his eight-year karting career. Eduardo most recently earned the Senior ROK vice-champion trophy in the ultra-competitive Rok Cup Florida Winter Tour, winning the opening round in Palm Beach, Florida, over many of the sport’s finest veteran drivers.

“I am looking forward for the start of the season,” E. Barrichello enthused. “I love driving the F4 car and I am really excited to drive for such a team as DC Autosport. F4 is the beginning of everything for me and I want to do well at it.”

 Barrichello’s famous father is equally as motivated to see his son begin his journey with DC Autosport in the F4 U.S. Championship.

“I am really excited for Eduardo,” added R. Barrichello, the winner of 11 Formula 1 Grand Prix races. “He is really talented in karts and I am sure he will do great in formula cars as well.”

Race-veteran Bamford brings a long list of accolades to the DC Autosport team. Most recently in F4, the Canadian pilot earned the JRi Hard Charger Award after making the most passes during last seasons’ VIR event. He also donated his season-winnings from F4 U.S. to the Houston Humane Society to help displaced Hurricane Harvey animals. In 2016, Bamford claimed the F1600 Master Championship, F2000 Championship and the F2000 Master Champion.

“Don was an instrumental piece of our teams’ success last season in F4 running under Cape Motorsports,” Bamford said. “I followed him as a team owner because I am confident he can bring the same amount of professionalism and success as he did with Cape. I am extremely excited get my third season of F4 U.S. underway.”

The team will travel to NOLA Motorsports Park for an official two-day test over Easter weekend. The F4 U.S. Championship’s 2018 schedule kicks off officially at VIR and consists of 17 races over six weekends, visiting Road Atlanta, Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Pittsburg International Race Complex and New Jersey Motorsports Park before capping the season at the Circuit of the Americas in October in support of the F1 United States Grand Prix. 

Drivers and parents interested in scheduling a test with DC Autosport with Cape Motorsports should contact Don Conner directing at 618-593-4888.