Roberto Faria, a former FIA F3 and Sauber Academy driver, will partner with Manuel Gião in RACAR Motorsport's Mercedes-AMG GT4 for the final two rounds of the Supercars Endurance series, taking the place of the former Portuguese rally champion Carlos Vieira.
Despite encountering a few setbacks at the start of the season, RACAR Motorsport clinched victory in the Pro-Am division during the second race of the Vila Real round. The team is determined to maintain this level of performance throughout the remainder of the year.
As the second half of the season approaches, commencing in the middle of next month in Jerez de la Frontera, RACAR Motorsport sought to secure a driver for Manuel Gião who could significantly enhance their chances of winning and achieving strong results.
After assessing several candidates, the team ultimately selected Roberto Faria. This young Brazilian, who recently conducted testing with the team's Mercedes-AMG at the Autódromo do Estoril, boasts a noteworthy career in single-seaters and has also participated in various karting championships.
Roberto Faria's motorsport career began in traditional Formula 4 in the British F4 Championship, where he achieved several podium finishes. He then transitioned to GB3, the former British Formula 3 Championship, where he continued to attain significant results, including a victory at the prestigious Spa-Francorchamps circuit.
In 2022, at the age of nineteen, Faria also served as a driver for the Sauber Academy, the development program of the Swiss Formula 1 team, which supports young talents in their quest to reach the pinnacle of motorsport.
Moving into 2023, Roberto Faria participated in the FIA Formula 3 Championship, a companion competition to the Formula 1 World Championship, driving for PHM Racing by Charouz.
Impressed by Faria's qualities displayed during the testing at the Estoril Autodrom and his impressive racing resume, RACAR Motorsport decided to partner him with Manuel Gião for the latter half of the season.
"We aimed to secure the best possible teammate for Manuel, believing that a strong partner would enable us to consistently win races and showcase RACAR Motorsport's technical excellence. When we had the opportunity to test with Roberto, we didn't hesitate. He swiftly adapted to an unfamiliar car and circuit, impressing everyone on the team. Roberto's excellent racing approach and his positive impact on team morale make us confident that we'll be even more competitive in the second half of the season, contending for victories in every race," said Ricardo Antunes, CEO of RACAR.
Roberto Faria, who wrapped up his season in the FIA Formula 3 Championship at Monza in early September, is enthusiastic about his foray into the GT world and is confident in his ability to help the team pursue victories and achieve strong results.
"This marks a new chapter in my career, and I'm thrilled to enter the GT world. My experience testing with RACAR Motorsport at the Autódromo do Estoril was excellent. Although the Mercedes-AMG GT4 is quite different from what I'm used to, I found it highly appealing. The warm welcome from the team and their technical capabilities give me confidence that we can compete at the top. With Manuel, we aspire to fight for victories in the upcoming races. I'm eagerly looking forward to getting back into action," added Roberto Faria.
The next round of the Iberian Supercars Endurance is scheduled for October 20 to 22 at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit, with the season concluding at the Autódromo do Estoril on November 25 and 26.
