Indy Lights Star of Tomorrow (wk 2): Ana Beatriz

In Week 2 of our Firestone Indy Lights Star of Tomorrow series we introduce you to Ana Beatriz Caselato Gomes de Figueiredo. Racing for years as Bia Figueiredo, Ana Beatriz, as we've come to know her, changed to the easier to pronounce moniker when she began racing in North America. Currently contesting her rookie season in the Indy Lights Series with Sam Schmidt Motorsports, Beatriz was on the podium in only her second race.

Who is Ana Beatriz?

“I’m a 23-year old Brazilian driver who moved this year to the United States and is enjoying it very much. I was born in Sao Paulo and live at this moment in Indianapolis.”

What ladder did you climb to the Indy Lights?

“I started racing go-karts when I was 8 years old. My first step in motorsports was the Formula Renault, where I scored some wins and was third in the championship. I scored podium finishes in the Brazilian Formula 3 and went in 2007 to England to do some Formula Renault tests.”

What is your goal in motorsports?

“As a young child I always wanted to drive in the Formula one, but now I want to move up the American ladder to the IndyCars.”

Who do you see as example for your career?

“In the beginning I loved Ayrton Senna. Later I was fan of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barichello and now that I race in the Indy Lights I like Tony Kanaan and Helio Castroneves a lot.”

How would you define your driving style?

“I think I have a smooth, but competitive driving style. At least, that’s how I see it. From the outside it might also look aggressive, that’s something my engineer should know!”

How are you different than other drivers?

“Besides being a girl, I think I’m more relaxed than other drivers. I can be very patient and that helps when you are racing on ovals. I’ve also got a very good manager, Andre Ribeiro. He is a former Indy Car driver and helps me with a lot of things.”

What do you do when you’re not racing?

“In Indy I go a lot to the gym to work out, because you have to be in god physical shape to drive cars like these. I’ll also try to visit the workshop of the team every day, to learn as much as possible about the car. When I’m back home in Brazil I like to hang out with friends, go to dinner, watching movies and sport games. I especially like the Corinthians, a Brazilian soccer club.”

If you would fit your life in one theme song, which one would it be?

"I think I’ll go for the Queen song with 'having a good time, having a good time’, I don’t know the title exactly. I’ll always try to stay positive and enjoy life the fullest."

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