Ex-F1 driver Rubens Barrichello’s son Eduardo has secured a race seat in the USF2000 championship in the 2019 season.

Barrichello Jr made his single-seater racing debut this year in the US Formula 4 Championship with DC Autosport with Cape Motorsports and finished 20th as a rookie with just the 11 points.

At the same time, his teammate Dakota Dickerson won the title handsomely with 269 points. For 2019, Barrichello Jr will move into the official ‘Road to Indy’ programme by racing in the USF2000 championship.

The Brazilian joins the new Miller Vinatieri Motorsports outfit – which will make its debut this year and is co-owned by American football star Adam Vinatieri and Indy Racing League driver Jack Miller.

“I am excited to join Miller Vinatieri Motorsports and the USF2000 program in 2019,” said Barrichello Jr. “The Road to Indy program is something that I have followed throughout karting, and to finally be able to take part in it is something special.

“The plan is to get lots of testing under my belt before the first race of the season, but I can tell you that I am already counting down the days to St. Pete.” He will join Miller’s son Jack William Miller in the team.

On the announcement, Barrichello Sr said: “I met Jack during the F4 season and we had an instant connection. Jack has a love and passion for the sport, similar as I do, and combined that with the love for our kids, it made perfect sense.

“We are very excited to enter the USF2000 Series and Road to Indy program as it is the perfect next step for Eduardo and his racing career.” It comes as an interesting move with the Barichello Jr. moving towards IndyCar rather than F1.

Co-owner Miller added: “We are very pleased to have Eduardo join the MVM family. Eduardo is the son of former Formula 1 star Rubens Barrichello, and their family bond is unmistakable. It rings true having my son as a second generation driver.

“So I am confident Eduardo and the whole Barrichello family will fit perfectly into our operation. We will be running our first season in the USF2000 ranks, but we have put together an excellent and experienced crew and engineer.

“[It makes for] a great platform for Eduardo as he begins his march up the Road to Indy ladder.” Vinatieri said: “Not only am I a big fan of Jack William, I have also been a fan of Rubens throughout his career.

“I am hoping to get to a lot of races in the future and lend my hand in helping grow a successful program. To have Jack William and Eduardo as teammates, as well as a strong team in place around them, I can’t wait to follow their progress and improvement as they continue to march up the motorsports ladder.”