DRIVER DOWNLOAD: Rodrigo Baptista

DRIVER DOWNLOAD: Rodrigo Baptista

Making the change to a Ferrari 488 GT3 for the 2020 season with Squadra Corse, Rodrigo Baptista is paired up with Martin Fuentes. The two have an exciting season ahead as a new duo. We caught up with Rodrigo on this Driver Download, read more about him below!

QUICK FACTS

Team: Squadra Corse
Car: Ferrari 488 GT3

Age: 23
Hometown: São Paulo, Brazil
Birthday: September 13
Favorite Track: Spa-Francorchamps
Daily Driver: BMW M4
Dream Car: Pagani Zonda
Racing Hero: Ayrton Senna
Favorite Food: Pasta / Sushi
Favorite Hobby: Classic Cars
Occupation: Businessman (classic cars & real state)
Favorite Vacation Spot: Italy
Pet names: Bolt
First Car: BMW M3
Favorite Movie: Ford vs Ferrari
Favorite TV Show: Prison Break

DEEP DIVE 

How was the season opener at COTA?
We struggled a little bit with the set up due to the weather conditions change during the weekend and also on the race starts but was a good weekend. It’s always good to race at COTA, a racetrack which I am winning races since the very first time I raced over there. And there’s no better way to kick off the season with a race win.

How did you get into racing?
I started with go-karts in São Paulo, then one year with Formula 3 single seater and from there sports cars.

What is your favorite racing memory?
Finishing at the podium in LeMans.

What’s the story behind your helmet design?
I am trying to use the same “lines” for the past years but there’s nothing related to. Always having the Brazilian flag and my name into it.

Something interesting about you or a hidden talent?
I am a really good tenis player!

If you could invite 3 people to dinner who would it be and why?
I would go with Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton. They would be my choice because each one was the best in their eras and it would be interesting to ask them about the differences on how cars and racing was at all. Also I would ask which driver they thought was the best of all time.

You’ve raced in multiple series across the world. Do you think that has helped you succeed having experience in many different championships and cars?

In a certain way yes but at the same time it was for a short period of time with different cars. Good thing is I can get comfortable in any kind of car really quick. I can adapt myself really quick to whatever conditions are, being with car, weather, engineer, which I think it’s a good skill for a race car driver.