Saavedra to run Red Bull GRC in Phoenix

Sebastian Saavedra

Colombian racer Sebastian Saavedra, a veteran of six seasons of IndyCar competition, will make his Red Bull Global Rallycross debut on May 21-22 at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in Phoenix. Saavedra, 25, will pilot the #77 BFGoodrich Ford Fiesta in his first-ever rallycross event.

“I’m really excited to make my Red Bull GRC debut this weekend in Phoenix," said Saavedra. “I’ve known a lot of the people in the series for a long time, and I’m really looking forward to adding rallycross to my resume. It’ll be the first time I’ve ever raced anything like this, so it will be a challenge that I’m excited to welcome. Four wheels and high horsepower? Sign me up any day!"

After beginning his career in karting, Saavedra raced in Formula BMW and Formula 3 in the mid-2000s before jumping into Indy Lights in 2009. The next year, he became the feel-good story of Indianapolis 500 qualifying with Bryan Herta Autosport; both driver and team made their debut in the event after a dramatic Bump Day shuffle ended with Saavedra clinging to the 33rd and final starting position.

Saavedra’s open-wheel racing career includes five Indianapolis 500 starts, pole position at the inaugural GP of Indianapolis and Rookie of the year awards in F3 and Indy Lights championships. Aside from Herta, Saavedra has also raced for fellow Red Bull GRC team owners Michael Andretti, James “Sulli" Sullivan and Jimmy Vasser, and Chip Ganassi during his IndyCar tenure, most recently making five starts for Ganassi with a top-10 result in Long Beach last year.

“We are excited to welcome Sebastian to Red Bull GRC in Phoenix," said Red Bull GRC CEO Colin Dyne. “Sebastian is just the latest of many world-class racing drivers to give rallycross a try, and we expect to see many more in the years to come. We’re looking forward to see how he stacks up against our field in his debut this weekend."

Red Bull Global Rallycross