Claman De Melo steps in at Coyne for Indy GP

Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that Zachary Claman De Melo will replace the injured Pietro Fittipaldi for this weekend's IndyCar Grand Prix of Indianapolis following the Brazilian's crash at Spa last weekend.

Fittipaldi had been due to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway through the month of May for Dale Coyne Racing, but broke both of his legs in a high-speed crash during qualifying for the FIA World Endurance Championship opener at Spa last Friday.

Claman De Melo steps in at Coyne for Indy GP

Dale Coyne Racing has confirmed that Zachary Claman De Melo will replace the injured Pietro Fittipaldi for this weekend's IndyCar Grand Prix of Indianapolis following the Brazilian's crash at Spa last weekend.

Fittipaldi had been due to race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway through the month of May for Dale Coyne Racing, but broke both of his legs in a high-speed crash during qualifying for the FIA World Endurance Championship opener at Spa last Friday.

Claman De Melo is sharing the #19 Dale Coyne Racing seat with Fittipaldi through 2018, having already featured in three races so far this season, and will return for this weekend's race in place of his injured colleague.

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"I’m extremely excited to get to race at the INDYCAR Grand Prix this weekend aboard the No. 19 Paysafe car, but I’m sad that it’s under these circumstances,” Claman De Melo said.

“My thoughts are first and foremost with Pietro. You never want to see that happen to a competitor, much less a teammate. Getting to race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway is always special. I enjoyed racing there in Indy Lights and I can’t wait to now get a chance to drive there aboard an Indy car.

"It’s a fun track with some good passing opportunities, which means it should be a good show for the fans. Hopefully, we can turn our luck around and come out of the weekend with a good result."

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