Ricardo Zonta is among the most experienced drivers in modern Formula 1, with F1 experience dating back to his first tests in 1997. Having worked with teams such as McLaren, Honda,Jordan and Toyota, the Brazilian has an extensive technical background combined with the pace befitting a former Formula 3000 and FIA International GT champion. He joined the Renault F1 Team after four seasons at Toyota. Ricardo currently drives in the Rolex Grand Am series in the USA and the Nextel stock car championship in Brazil.
Date of birth: 23/03/1976.
Place of birth: Curitiba, Brazil.
Nationality: Brazilian.
Languages spoken: Portugues, English, Italian and Spanish.
1987 – 1992: Karting
Ricardo followed the proven first step to a long motor racing career by serving his apprenticeship in go-karts. His five seasons saw him compete in various national championships in his hometown of Curitiba, and Sao Paolo. His fourth place in the Sao Paolo championship in 1992 was the stepping stone to a career in cars.
1993: Brazilian Formula Chevrolet
Ricardo’s first season of car racing saw him finish sixth in the Formula Chevrolet championship before graduating to the traditional proving ground for young racing talent: Formula 3.
1994 – 1995: Formula 3
Two seasons in Formula 3 gave Ricardo the opportunity to make his mark. After finishing 5th in the Brazilian championship in 1994, he won both the Brazilian and South American F3 championships the following year – before heading to Europe.
1996 – 1997: Formula 3000
Ricardo’s first season in Europe saw him finish fourth in the Formula 3000 championship for Draco Racing, including two race wins. His second season saw him combine natural speed with championship-winning consistency, and the Brazilian took three race wins on his way to the title. His performances also earned him a Formula 1 test with Jordan.
1998: FIA GT Championship, Formula 1 Testing
For the 1998 season, Ricardo was taken under Mercedes’ wing, competing in the FIA GT Championship while fulfilling testing duties with the McLaren-Mercedes team. As well as winning his second successive championship, his testing performances revealed long-term F1 potential, that earned him a race seat with BAR in the team’s inaugural season.
1999 – 2000: Formula 1, BAR
Ricardo began his Grand Prix racing career with a brand new team, alongside a world championship-winning team-mate. Unreliability and a team structured around team-mate Jacques Villeneuve meant the rookie struggled to make an impression in his first season, and he was further hampered by a foot injury that saw him miss several races. His second season proved more successful, including three sixth place finishes, but Ricardo parted ways with BAR at the end of the year.
2001: Formula 1 Testing, Jordan
Ricardo stepped into the Jordan team as third driver, completing testing duties and subbing for Heinz-Harald Frentzen at Montreal following an injury to the German. Frentzen was subsequently dropped from the team, and Ricardo competed in another championship round. However, without attractive F1 options for the following year, he decided it was a case of ‘one step backwards, two steps forwards’ as he stepped down to the World Series by Nissan.
2002: World Series by Nissan
Racing action proved to be just the boost Ricardo’s reputation needed. In a dominant season, he took nine race wins on the way to the title – and earned an invitation to join Toyota as F1 test driver for the following season.
2003 – 2006: Formula 1, Toyota
Ricardo has spent four seasons at Toyota, in the roles of test driver, third driver, Friday driver (2004/5) and also race driver for five rounds of the 2004 championship.
2007: Formula 1, Renault F1 Team Test Driver,
Nextel Stock Car Championship, Brazil, L&M Racing.
Ricardo was test driver for the Renault F1 team and driver for L&M Racing in Brazil, also competed in one race with Krohn Racing in the Grand am series in the USA.
2008: Grand Am series, USA, Krohn Racing.
Nextel Stock car championship, Brazil, Panasonic racing. (Team owner and driver)
Le Mans 24 hour, Peugeot.