Enzo Fittipaldi will replace David Beckmann at Charouz Racing System in the FIA F2 Championship from Monza onward.
Beckmann graduated to F2 in 2021 at Charouz to race alongside Guilherme Samaia. In the four rounds so far, he has scored two podiums and sits 13th with 25 points. The German, however, will not see through the year with the Czech outfit.
An unexpected financial situation has forced Beckmann to take care of his family business, leaving Charouz to rope in Fittipaldi alongside Samaia, to make it an all-Brazilian line-up. The former will make his F2 debut at Monza after starting his year in F3.
In fact, Fittipaldi initially decided to shift focus from Europe to USA, but a late call from Charouz brought him back in F3. He dropped out after the summer break, hinting of a F2 move, which has been brewing for some time behind the scenes.
“I’m sorry to leave Charouz Racing System for the end of the FIA Formula 2 season,” said Beckmann. “It’s not an easy choice, but I had to do it because it’s the right thing. The financial situation has dramatically changed compared to the start of this project, but this doesn’t change the great work we did together.
“I want to thank all the team for the support and the experiences we lived together, especially in such a strange and complicated year like the one we are racing. I wish them the best of luck for the rest of the year.”
At the same time, Fittipaldi added: “I am extremely happy to be making my debut in the FIA Formula 2 championship. I really want to thank Charouz Racing System and all my sponsors for this opportunity. We had a very solid first part of the F3 season together and I am looking forward to the next chapter.
“Monza will be my first time in an F2 car and I’m very excited! I will have a huge learning curve ahead with a 45 minute practice and then straight to qualifying but nonetheless, I can’t wait to get in the car at Monza. The goal will be to gain as much experience as possible to get me more prepared for the last three F2 rounds.”
And finally, Team Manager Bob Vavrik added: “We’re all very happy to welcome Enzo Fittipaldi to the F2 squad. The plan was racing together for the 2022 season, with a winter training and testing program. Unfortunately, David Beckmann had to shift his focus onto the family business in this difficult situation, which of course is sad news for us because he was doing a great job with us and we could have had a great second part of the season.
“Of course, we totally understand his choice and we respect this responsible decision. At this point, to promote Enzo in the Formula 2 program sounded like the cleverest and also natural choice.”
Here’s news on Prema entering WEC