Driver history
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Rodolfo Gonzalez’s journey to the Verizon IndyCar Series was “a little bit longer than I expected,” though the race craft gained along the way will prove invaluable when he debuts in the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama.
“From when I was little I had two aims – either try to get to Formula One or IndyCar,” said Gonzalez, who will drive the No. 18 Dale Coyne Racing Honda.
“When I first went to Europe I was 10, 11 years old and we were living in a small trailer in England crossing the country racing go-karts.
“Whenever I won a race or had a podium, my prize from my father was to go to a little pub near where we were staying and have a cheeseburger, and they always had the (Indy car) races on TV. We would turn up after driving four or five hours after racing and have a cheeseburger and the Indy car race would be on TV.
“That was the time when Bryan Herta, Jimmy Vasser and Alex Zanardi all were fighting for the title. I was a big Zanardi fan. I remember watching the (1996) race at Laguna Seca and the overtaking maneuver Zanardi pulled on Herta and I said, ‘I’d like to be there some day and do that.’ ’’
From winning the 2006 British F3 National Class championship with 18 podium finishes, including 13 victories, in 22 races through the Formula 3 Euro Series and 64 races in the GP2 Series over four years, Gonzalez remained steadfast in attaining his goal.
He was a test driver for the Marussia F1 Team for two seasons, but saw roadblocks early on.
“I stayed in Europe to try the Formula One thing, but it probably was from my first year in GP2 that I already started thinking that I want to go over and try Indy cars,” said Gonzalez, of Venezuela. “I really wasn’t enjoying it over there. I went to Mid-Ohio last year and spoke to Dale Coyne and Sam Schmidt and a couple of other teams, and it was one of those things that you work toward a goal and doors start opening.”
Gonzalez, who turns 29 on May 14, tested with both Dale Coyne Racing and Schmidt Peterson Motorsports last fall.
“It’s an exciting track and the car is unbelievable to drive,” he said. “I like the fact that you have to muscle the car around the corners. You have to be smooth but in a way you have to be firm with it. It’s a tough track but it’s also pretty fun.
“I come here with a lot of humbleness trying to do the best job I can and learn as much as possible. Hopefully, I’ll get a call to come back another race weekend.”
