OCTOBER 20, 2003

A man to watch

Last week at Sebring, the Fittipaldi Dingman Racing team tested the youngest ever driver to run in a CART car, running 17-year-old Frenchman Nelson Philippe. A protege of Emerson Fittipaldi's nephew Christian Fittipaldi, Philippe is from Valence in France but now lives in Key Biscayne in Florida. An accomplished kartist from the age of 12, Philippe moved into cars only this year, choosing to race in the Barber Dodge Pro Series, which this year allowed 16 and 17 year olds to compete for the first time as the rules regarding the signing of waivers were altered.

Philippe is currently ninth in the Barber Dodge Pro Series but his results have been improving with each race as he gets to grips with cars.

There is talk of putting Philippe into CART next year but this would seem a little premature given his experience in open wheeler racing.