Barracuda Racing to Test Filippi at Mid-Ohio

Luca Filippi

Barracuda Racing announced today that the team will test Luca Filippi at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course on July 30.

Alex Tagliani will step out of the No. 98 Barracuda Racing car but will remain under contract to the team through the end of the 2013 season. As Bryan Herta Autosport looks to expand to a two-car operation in the future, the remainder of the season will give the team a chance to consider its options.

Barracuda Racing and Tagliani have been unhappy with the results thus far this season. This move allows the team a chance to evaluate a new driver and to gather feedback on the Barracuda Networks #98.

"It's never fun for a driver to not be in the car," said Tagliani. "But I see the benefit in racing in a team with a team-mate as opposed to being a single car team. In this sport, things can turn around quickly."

Italian driver Luca Filippi will pilot the No. 98 Barracuda Racing car for next week's test on Wednesday at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

Filippi started racing in the GP2 Series in 2006. In only his second year, he finished fourth in the Championship and was chosen as an F1 Test Driver by Honda F1. Two years later, he finished fifth in the Championship and then went on to earn second place in the GP2 Asia Series in 2010.

In 2011 he finished second in both the GP2 Series (with three wins and four podiums) and the Auto GP (with one win and six podiums).

"I've been working and waiting for a chance like this my whole life," said Filippi. "I can't wait to test the No. 98 Barracuda Racing car and hopefully make the most of this opportunity to learn firsthand about IndyCar Racing."

Team owner Bryan Herta stated, "We're taking this opportunity to evaluate our program as we look toward the future. It makes sense at this point to look at the available pool of drivers that may fit into our future plans. We want to thank Alex for being a team player during the process and we look forward to seeing what Luca can do during the test in Mid-Ohio."