Ana "Bia" Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo,orBia Figueiredo(born March 18, 1985) is a Brazilianracing driver.She won her first Indy Lights race atNashville Superspeedwayon 12 July 2008, becoming the first woman to win a race in the Indy Lights series.[1]On June 20, 2009, Bia won her second Indy Lights race and became the first woman to win a race car event atIowa Speedwayin Newton, Iowa.[2]
Ana Beatriz de Figueiredo | |||||||
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![]() De Figueiredo in 2023 | |||||||
Nationality | ![]() | ||||||
Born | Ana Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo March 18, 1985 São Paulo,Brazil | ||||||
Awards | 2008Firestone Indy LightsRookie of the Year 2003Formula Renault 2.0 BrazilRookie of the Year | ||||||
IndyCar Seriescareer | |||||||
29 races run over 4 years | |||||||
2013position | 29th | ||||||
Best finish | 21st (2011) | ||||||
First race | 2010São Paulo Indy 300(São Paulo) | ||||||
Last race | 2013Iowa Corn Indy 250(Iowa) | ||||||
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Statistics current as of March 31, 2014. |
Career
editEarly career
editAna started her career inkartingraces. Initially funded by her family, "Bianinha" ( "Little Bia" ) began kart racing at age eight.[3]
At the age of 12, racing coachNailor Campos,former coach of racersTony Kanaan,Rubens Barrichello,Enrique BernoldiandAndre Ribeiro,became her coach and chief mechanic. When Bia's family could no longer fund her racing endeavors at the age of 15, Campos helped her attain sponsorship from the Medley pharmaceutical company, owned by former racer Xandy (Pollini) Negrão, father of racerAlexandre Sarnes Negrão.[3]
With formal sponsorship, Bia finished as runner-up in a variety of karting championships and won the Sorriso Petrobrás Kart Cup championship in 2003.
After three seasons in the BrazilianFormula Renaultchampionship, Ana started competing inFormula Three Sudamericanain 2006, driving for the well-established Cesario Formula team. In 2006, she also drove aRed BullVolkswagen Touaregfor PPD Sports, owned byPedro Diniz.
2008
editIn2008,Bia began racing in the AmericanFirestone Indy Lights Seriesfor defending championship-winning teamSam Schmidt Motorsportsunder the nameAna Beatriz.[4]Prior to racing in the United States, she was referred to as "Bia", not "Ana", and many people, including Bia herself, continue to call her "Bia". Several American reporters have begun to use the nameAna "Bia" Beatrizin their written articles.
Bia placed fifth in theFirestone Freedom 100atIndianapolis Motor Speedwayon 23 May 2008, the highest finishing position by a female driver in that race.[5]On 12 July 2008, she led the most laps and won her first Indy Lights race atNashville Superspeedway.[1]
With the excitement surrounding Bia's victory a reporter asked if she was the nextDanica Patrick.She responded "Everybody is making that comparison... But I always say that I'm always going to be Bia. I'm never going to be Danica... I hope there is a place for a Bia now."[6]
2008 Awards
editThe results she demonstrated on and off the track gained the attention of many, and as a result, she was awarded theTony RennaRising Star Award. Named after the late driver, the award was given to Beatriz for demonstrating qualities as Renna—teamwork, physical fitness, and resourcefulness.
Also, her third-place result in the final championship standings earned her "Rookie of the Year" honors and places her in a position to be a championship contender in 2009.
2009
editBia returned to the #20 Sam Schmidt car for2009.She was forced to miss theMilwaukee Milerace due to a lack of funding caused by a hard crash in theFreedom 100the prior week. However, a week later she won the race at theIowa Speedway,her second series win.[7]She also skipped the final race of the season due to funding issues. She finished 8th in points despite missing the two races.
2010
editBia's official Portuguese language site revealed on 23 February 2010 that she will drive a third car forDreyer & Reinbold Racingin theSão Paulo Indy 300in March 2010.[8]Further participation in the2010 IndyCar Series seasonwas confirmed and announced on May 12, 2010.[9]Bia qualified for the2010 Indianapolis 500on the outside of row seven with a four–lap average of 224.243 MPH and finished in 21st position after retiring on the final lap of the race, as she was involved in an accident withRyan Hunter-Reayand teammateMike Conway.
In December, she won the second race of the Brazilian karting event,Desafio Internacional das Estrelas.Bia became a fan favorite in the event as she went from her starting position of 11th to 1st, overtaking experienced drivers such asTony Kanaan,Felipe MassaandRubens Barrichelloin the process. She ended 4th in the final standings despite scoring the same number of points as the winner,Lucas di Grassi(it was a four-way tie).[citation needed]
2011
editFor the2011 IndyCar Series seasonshe competed full-time for Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in the #24 car.[10]Bia broke her wrist in the opening laps of the first race at St. Petersburg causing her to miss the next race and requiring her to compete with a brace for the large part of the season.
2012
editOn March 8, 2012, Bia tested forAndretti Autosport,drivingJames Hinchcliffe's car #27 during a session of the open test atSebring,with an eye to her running that team's fourth car at April'sIndyCar Seriesevent in her home town ofSão Paulo.[11] On April 5 it was announced that she would compete in the 2012 São Paulo and Indianapolis races forAndretti Autosportwith assistance from Conquest Racing.
2014–present
editIn 2014, De Figueiredo began competing inStock Car Brasil.[12]Competing in around 120 races, she scored two top-five race finishes and a best championship result of 24th in 2018 before taking maternal leave. De Figueiredo returned to racing full-time in 2023 via theCopa Truckseries.[13]
In June 2020, De Figuereido's husband and father-in-law were charged withembezzlingBR$9 million from the Lagos Rio Health Institute, around a sixth of which was alleged to have funded her career in Stock Car Brasil.[14]
Motorsports career results
editYear | Category | Result | Awards | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Win,PP,FL | Overall | |||
Karting | ||||
2000 | São Paulo Championship (Category B) | Runner-up | Price Racing of 2000 - Kart | |
2001 | Brazilian Championship (Category A) | 3rd place | Capacete de Ouro- Kart | |
São Paulo Championship (Category A) | Runner-up | |||
Brazil Kart Cup | Runner-up | |||
2002 | Brazilian Championship (Category A) | Runner-up | Capacete de Ouro- Kart | |
São Paulo Championship (Category A) | 3rd place | |||
2003 | Sorriso Petrobrás Kart Cup | Champion | ||
Petrobrás Karting Selective | Runner-up | |||
Open–wheel | ||||
2003 | Brazilian Formula Renault | 2 FL | Rookie of the year - Brazilian Formula Renault | |
2004 | Brazilian Formula Renault | 5th place | ||
2005 | Brazilian Formula Renault | 3 win, 3 PP | 3rd place | Capacete de Ouro- Fórmula |
2006 | Formula Three Sudamericana | 5th place | Capacete de Ouro-São Paulo CitizenDriver | |
2008 | Firestone Indy Lights Series | 1 win | 3rd place | Rookie of the Year,Tony Rennarising star award |
2009 | Firestone Indy Lights Series | 1 win | 8th place | |
2010 | IndyCar Series | 30th place |
American open–wheel results
edit(key)
Indy Lights
editYear | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Rank | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | HMS 7 |
STP1 3 |
STP2 16 |
KAN 14 |
INDY 5 |
MIL 19 |
IOW 3 |
WGL1 4 |
WGL2 3 |
NSH 1 |
MDO1 14 |
MDO2 5 |
KTY 16 |
SNM1 6 |
SNM2 3 |
CHI 2 |
3rd | 449 |
2009 | Sam Schmidt Motorsports | STP1 4 |
STP2 23 |
LBH 5 |
KAN 4 |
INDY 17 |
MIL | IOW 1 |
WGL 9 |
TOR 13 |
EDM 12 |
KTY 3 |
MDO 12 |
SNM 5 |
CHI 14 |
HMS | 8th | 320 |
IndyCar Series
editYear | Team | Chassis | No. | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Rank | Points | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing | DallaraIR-05 | 23 | Honda | SAO 13 |
STP |
ALA |
LBH |
KAN |
30th | 55 | [15] | ||||||||||||||
25 | INDY 21 |
TXS |
IOW |
WGL |
TOR |
EDM |
MDO |
SNM | ||||||||||||||||||
24 | CHI 24 |
KTY |
MOT |
HMS 26 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | STP 14 |
ALA | LBH 19 |
SAO 24 |
INDY 21 |
TXS1 22 |
TXS2 22 |
MIL 17 |
IOW 23 |
TOR 11 |
EDM 13 |
MDO 17 |
NHM 14 |
SNM 13 |
BAL 16 |
MOT 19 |
KTY 24 |
LVS C |
21st | 212 | [16] | |||||
2012 | Andretti Autosport | DallaraDW12 | 25 | Chevrolet | STP | ALA | LBH | SAO 20 |
INDY 23 |
DET | TXS | MIL | IOW | TOR | EDM | MDO | SNM | BAL | FON | 29th | 28 | [17] | ||||
2013 | Dale Coyne Racing | 18 | Honda | STP 22 |
ALA 24 |
LBH 14 |
SAO 25 |
INDY 15 |
DET1 |
DET2 |
TXS |
MIL 19 |
IOW 22 |
POC |
TOR1 |
TOR2 |
MDO |
SNM |
BAL |
HOU1 |
HOU2 |
FON |
29th | 72 | [18] |
Years | Teams | Races | Poles | Wins | Podiums (Non-win) |
Top 10s (Non-podium) |
Indianapolis 500 Wins |
Championships |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | 3 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Indianapolis 500
editYear | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish | Team |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | DallaraIR-05 | HondaHI7RV8 | 21 | 21 | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing |
2011 | DallaraIR-05 | HondaHI7RV8 | 32 | 21 | Dreyer & Reinbold Racing |
2012 | DallaraDW12 | ChevroletIndyCarV6t | 13 | 23 | Andretti Autosport/Conquest Racing |
2013 | DallaraDW12 | HondaHI13TTV6t | 29 | 15 | Dale Coyne Racing |
Complete Stock Car Brasil results
edit†Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as she completed over 90% of the race distance.
Complete IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship results
edit(key) (Races inboldindicate pole position) (Races initalicsindicate fastest lap)
Year | Entrant | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Heinricher Racing w/ Meyer Shank Racing | GTD | Acura NSX GT3 | Acura3.5 L Turbo V6 | DAY 12 |
SEB 8 |
MDO | DET | WGL 4 |
MOS 6 |
LIM | ELK 13 |
VIR | LGA | PET 7 |
16th | 137 | |
2021 | Team Hardpoint EBM | GTD | Porsche 911 GT3 R | Porsche4.0 L Flat-6 | DAY | SEB 5 |
MDO | DET | WGL | WGL | LIM |
ELK | LGA | LBH | VIR | PET | 51st | 280 |
Source:[19] |
References
edit- ^abIndyCar.com. (12 July 2008)History -- Again[permanent dead link ]IndyCar.Accessed 12 July 2008.
- ^DesMoinesRegister.com. (20 June 2009)[1][permanent dead link ]Des Moines Register.Accessed 20 June 2009.
- ^abWagner, Phillip. (30 July 2008)Is Bia Brazil's Danica Patrick (Part 1)ArchivedSeptember 22, 2008, at theWayback MachineMotorsport.com.Accessed 31 July 2008.
- ^Knapp Schilke, Nancy. (1 January 2008)Schmidt gives opportunity to Beatriz-FigueiredoArchivedJuly 22, 2009, at theWayback MachineMotorsport.com.Accessed 1 January 2008.
- ^Lewandowski, Dave. (1 January 2008)Battistini holds off Antinucci at the Yard of Bricks[permanent dead link ]IndyCar.Accessed 24 May 2008.
- ^Braun, Travis. (16 July 2008)Beatriz looks to carve out own image among women racersUSA Today.Accessed 3 August 2008.
- ^Lewandowski, Dave. (June 20, 2009)SSM Sweep[permanent dead link ],IndyCar.Accessed 16 October 2009.
- ^BiaFigueiredo.com (23 February 2010)Fórmula Indy: Ana Beatriz fecha com a equipe Dreyer & Reinbold RacingArchivedFebruary 28, 2010, at theWayback MachineBiaFigueiredo.com.Accessed 23 February 2010.
- ^GPUpdate.net (12th May 2010)Beatriz to compete in 500 with Dreyer & ReinboldGPUpdate.net.Accessed 30 January 2011.
- ^Dreyer & Reinbold Racing names Ana Beatriz as driverArchivedMarch 9, 2011, at theWayback Machine,AutoWeek,March 3, 2011, Retrieved 2011-03-03
- ^The Indianapolis Star,March 9, 2012, edition
- ^"Ana Beatriz".
- ^"Bia Figueiredo to race in Brazilian Copa Truck".Racers: Behind the Helmet. 19 January 2023.
- ^"Bia Figueiredo linked with embezzlement case in Brazil".Motorsport.com.28 June 2020.
- ^"Ana Beatriz – 2010 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Ana Beatriz – 2011 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Ana Beatriz – 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Ana Beatriz – 2013 IZOD IndyCar Series Results".Racing-Reference.NASCAR Digital Media, LLC.RetrievedAugust 1,2023.
- ^"Ana Beatriz Results".motorsportstats.com.RetrievedNovember 11,2023.
External links
edit- Official website
- Ana Beatrizdriver statistics at Racing-Reference
- Ana Beatrizat IndyCar.com
- Torcida Bia Figueiredo fan site
- New York Times feature on Bia, October 2006
- IndyCar 11 in '11 video