Barrichello, Peterson To Team For Doran Racing In Brickyard Grand Prix

Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced driver in the history of Formula One with 322 career starts, will make his Daytona Prototype debut in next weekend’s Brickyard Grand Prix.

Rubens Barrichello, the most experienced driver in the history of Formula One with 322 career starts, will make his Daytona Prototype debut in next weekend's Brickyard Grand Prix. The Brazilian will share Doran Racing's No. 77 3Dimensional.com Ford/Dallara with Floridian Doug Peterson.

Barrichello is already a winner at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, winning the 2002 United States Grand Prix for Scuderia Ferrari.

The two drivers met briefly nearly 10 years ago at the Ferrari Challenge World Finals at the Mugello Circuit in Italy.

"Rubens signed my helmet, and it's still hanging on my wall," Peterson said. "I've been a huge fan of his forever and ever – I watch all the Formula One races, and have for many years. He's a super, stand-up guy. I don't know him, but I've met him a couple of times and I'm really looking forward to running with him and Kevin."

When Peterson learned that Barrichello was looking for a co-driver for Indianapolis, he contacted team owner Kevin Doran and lined up sponsorship from his company, 3-Dimensional Services. They will drive Doran Racing's DP for the first time on Tuesday at a private shakedown run at Putnam Park in Greencastle, Ind.

"We have a small office in Brazil, so this is a great business opportunity – as well as a great racing opportunity," Peterson said.

Peterson's resume includes two DP starts in the Rolex 24 At Daytona for Blackforest Motorsports and Starworks Motorsport, in addition to competing in the GT class for Racers Edge Motorsports.

"With Doug's diverse experience including a few races in the Daytona Prototypes, I am sure he will adapt to the car very quickly," Doran said. "I very much want to thank Doug and 3D for helping us put this program together."

Barrichello's Indianapolis victory was one of 11 in Formula One competition. He finished second in the World Championship in 2002 (winning four races) and in 2004, driving behind champion teammate Michael Shumacher for Ferrari. He also finished third in 2001 for Ferrari and in 2009 for Brawn GP. After retiring from F1 after the 2011 season, he ran the IZOD IndyCar Series in 2012 for KV Racing Technology, with his best finish fourth at Sonoma. He now races in Brazil's Stock Car V8 series.

Barrichello's only GRAND-AM appearance was in the 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona, when he co-drove with fellow Brazilian Tony Kanaan in the GT class, finishing 28th for Dener Motorsports in the No. 20 Porsche GT3. Ironically, the two competitors will be looking to become the first driver to win two major races at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Kanaan, the 2013 Indianapolis 500 winner, can be the first driver to win two major races in one year.

Doran has no doubt that Barrichello will quickly get up to speed in his DP.

"He's a super guy with a super resume," Doran said. "I don't expect a problem with him getting up to speed in the DP, because he's been driving Brazilian stock cars and drove a Porsche at the Rolex 24. If he was coming straight from Formula One, it would have been a performance culture shock, but since he's driven the other formulas this year, I think he's bracketed both sides of the DP's performance. I think it will be easy for him now."