18 Facts About Ricardo Zonta

Ricardo Luiz Zonta was born on March 23,1976 and is a Brazilian professional racing driver.

Ricardo Zonta currently competes full-time in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, driving the No 10 Toyota Corolla E210 for RCM Motorsport.

Ricardo Zonta continued karting until 1992, finishing fourth in the Sao Paulo Karting Championship before progressing to single-seaters for 1993.

Ricardo Zonta finished 6th in the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet Championship, and then in 1994, came fifth in the Brazilian Formula Three Championship.

Ricardo Zonta took home the "Golden Helmet" award for best international driver for his efforts.

Ricardo Zonta tested with the McLaren Formula One team in 1998, and concurrently won the FIA GT Championship and the "Golden Helmet" award in the "world prominence" category.

In 1999, Ricardo Zonta started as a Formula One racing driver alongside 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve at new team BAR.

Ricardo Zonta injured his foot in an accident during practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, and was forced to miss three races.

Ricardo Zonta had a large accident at Spa-Francorchamps, and finished the season with no championship points.

Ricardo Zonta remained with BAR for the 2000 season, scoring his first world championship point with a sixth place in the opening race.

Ricardo Zonta had another large accident when his front suspension broke during testing at Silverstone, but continued the season, scoring points in both the Italian and United States Grands Prix, to finish 14th in the championship.

Ricardo Zonta was then hired as test driver for the Toyota F1 team in 2003, retaining the position in 2004.

Toward the end of the season, the team sacked Cristiano da Matta from a race seat, and Ricardo Zonta drove in four Grands Prix.

In Suzuka the team hired Jarno Trulli and Ricardo Zonta had to sit the event out, but the team allowed him to compete in his home race, the Brazilian Grand Prix, which he finished in 13th.

Ricardo Zonta continued as a test driver for Toyota in 2005, alongside veteran French pilot Olivier Panis.

Ricardo Zonta was confirmed as test driver for the Renault Formula One team for the 2007 season on 6 September 2006.

In 2007, Ricardo Zonta entered the Stock Car Brasil series in parallel with the work for the Renault team.

Ricardo Zonta is driving in the Grand Am Championship in America with Krohn Racing, while being the team owner and driver of Panasonic Racing in Stock Car Brasil.