The International Draco Racing outfit look set to depart the Formula Renault 3.5 Series after this weekend’s season finale at Jerez after selling its cars to AF Corse boss Amato Ferrari and his new-for-2016 Spirit of Race team.
The Draco name has a long and illustrious history in motorsport, with drivers like Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa and Pastor Maldonado all having their careers launched by the team, but the Formula Renault 3.5 Series chapter looks set to close this year.
Current owner Guto Negrao took over the team in 2011 while his son Andre competed in the championship, but Paulo Carcasci, who works in driver management and consultancy work for the Brazilian has revealed equipment has been sold to Spirit of Race.
“Draco has sold all of the equipment to Amato Ferrari from AF Corse,” said Carcasci to Autosport. “As far as I know Amato would like to continue with the same personnel, but he did not buy the Draco name.
“Draco rented a workshop in Seriate, a town near Bergamo for the past four years, and Amato is setting up a new outfit in Lugano, Switzerland.”
Draco Team Manager Simone Giglio has confirmed the current Draco personnel will run the team for the final race and in the post-season test in Jerez, but revealed beyond that, everything is up in the air.
“For the moment the actual staff will be in charge to run the cars during the test of Jerez but I really don’t know if there will be the possibility to maintain the same working group in 2016,” said Giglio.
“I really hope we can maintain the same group for the future, but I cannot say anything more because Mr. Ferrari will arrive here on Monday afternoon and then there will be meetings.”
