kids encyclopedia robot

Ricardo Zonta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Ricardo Zonta
Ricardo Zonta 2007 Curitiba.jpg
Zonta in 2007, as a Stock Car Brasil driver
Born Ricardo Luiz Zonta
(1976-03-23) 23 March 1976 (age 49)
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality Brazil Brazilian
Active years 1999–2001, 2004–2005
Teams BAR, Jordan, Toyota
Entries 38 (36 starts)
Championships 0
Wins 0
Podiums 0
Career points 3
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 0
First entry 1999 Australian Grand Prix
Last entry 2005 United States Grand Prix
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years 1998, 2008
Teams AMG-Mercedes, Peugeot
Best finish 3rd (2008)
Class wins 0

Ricardo Luiz Zonta (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [ʁiˈkaʁdu luˈiz ˈzõtɐ]; born March 23, 1976) is a Brazilian professional racing driver. He currently competes full-time in the Brazilian Stock Car Pro Series, driving the No. 10 Toyota Corolla E210 for RCM Motorsport.

Early career

Born in Curitiba, Brazil, Zonta began karting in 1987, winning his first race shortly thereafter. The following year, he was runner-up for the Curitiba Karting Championship, and in 1991, he won the title. He continued karting until 1992, finishing fourth in the São Paulo Karting Championship before progressing to single-seaters for 1993. He finished 6th in the Brazilian Formula Chevrolet Championship, and then in 1994, came fifth in the Brazilian Formula Three Championship. A year later, Zonta won both the Brazilian and South American Formula Three Championships.

Moving to Europe in 1996, Zonta competed in the International Formula 3000 Championship for Draco Racing, winning two races and finishing fourth overall. In the same year, he became the first Brazilian to compete in International Touring Cars, with Mercedes. In 1997, he won three races and the Formula 3000 championship. He also took home the "Golden Helmet" award for best international driver for his efforts. The Jordan Formula One team signed him as their official test driver following his championship, and in 1998, he was signed by McLaren boss Ron Dennis. Zonta tested with the McLaren Formula One team in 1998, and concurrently won the FIA GT Championship (GT1 class) and the "Golden Helmet" award in the "world prominence" category.

In October 1998, immediately after winning the FIA GT championship, Zonta signed up with the B.A.R. Formula One racing team as one of its race drivers for the 1999 season, after rejecting offers from Jordan and Sauber.

Formula One career

Zonta (Toyota) qualifying at USGP 2005
Zonta qualifying in place of an injured Ralf Schumacher at the 2005 United States Grand Prix.

In 1999, Zonta started as a Formula One racing driver alongside 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve at new team BAR. He injured his foot in an accident during practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix, and was forced to miss three races. He also had a large accident at Spa-Francorchamps, and finished the season with no championship points. Zonta remained with BAR for the 2000 season, scoring his first world championship point with a sixth place in the opening race. He 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. Replaced by Olivier Panis for the 2001 season, Zonta became the third driver for the Jordan team, replacing the injured Heinz-Harald Frentzen for one race, and then again when Frentzen was sacked, but was overlooked to replace him for the remainder of the season.

In 2002, he decided to focus on the Telefónica World Series, which he won. 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 Zonta drove in four Grands Prix. In Belgium, he was running in fourth place three laps from the finish when his engine failed. In Suzuka the team hired Jarno Trulli and 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. He continued as a test driver for Toyota in 2005, alongside veteran French pilot Olivier Panis. At the US Grand Prix later that year, he stood in for the injured Ralf Schumacher and took his place on the grid, only for Toyota, like the other six Michelin-shod teams, to withdraw from the race due to safety concerns. 2006 saw Zonta continue with Toyota as the team's third and test driver. He was confirmed as test driver for the Renault Formula One team for the 2007 season on 6 September 2006.

After Formula One

In 2007, Zonta entered the Stock Car Brasil series in parallel with the work for the Renault team. In 2008, he contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Peugeot Sport, driving the #9 car alongside Franck Montagny and Formula One tester Christian Klien.

He is also driving in the Grand Am Championship in America with Krohn Racing, while also being the team owner and driver of RZ Motorsport in Stock Car Brasil.

Personal life

Two of Zonta's relatives, Billy and Brendon, are also racing drivers. Billy used to compete in the Sprint Race series until he was forced to retire in 2016 after being diagnosed with cancer. Brendon is currently active in Sprint Race's continuation series NASCAR Brasil Sprint Race, driving the No. 7 Ford Mustang in the AM class.

Racing career

Career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
1993 Formula Chevrolet  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?
1994 Formula 3 Sudamericana  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?  ?
1995 Formula 3 Sudamericana Cesário Fórmula 13 6 5 7 9 76 1st
1996 International Formula 3000 Championship Draco Engineering 10 2 1 2 4 27 4th
International Touring Car Championship Warsteiner Mercedes-AMG 2 0 0 0 0 0 29th
1997 International Formula 3000 Championship Super Nova Racing 10 3 4 4 5 77 1st
1998 FIA GT Championship AMG Mercedes 10 5 4 1 9 77 1st
24 Hours of Le Mans 1 0 0 0 0 N/A NC
1999 Formula One British American Racing 12 0 0 0 0 0 22nd
2000 Formula One Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda 17 0 0 0 0 3 14th
2001 Formula One B&H Jordan Honda 2 0 0 0 0 0 19th
2002 World Series by Nissan Gabord Competicion 18 9 8 9 14 268 1st
2003 Porsche Supercup Porsche AG 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing Test Driver
2004 Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing 5 0 0 0 0 0 22nd
2005 Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
2006 Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing Test Driver
2007 Stock Car Brasil L&M Racing 12 0 0 1 0 13 29th
Formula One ING Renault F1 Team Test Driver
2008 Stock Car Brasil L&M Racing 6 0 0 0 0 23 24th
24 Hours of Le Mans Peugeot Sport Total 1 0 0 0 1 N/A 3rd
2009 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 9 0 1 0 1 48 16th
2010 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 11 0 0 0 0 36 20th
FIA GT1 World Championship Reiter Engineering 12 3 1 0 4 75 8th
2011 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 12 0 0 2 1 51 15th
FIA GT1 World Championship Sumo Power GT 6 0 0 0 0 9 28th
2012 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 12 0 0 0 0 89 13th
2013 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 12 1 0 1 1 144 7th
FIA GT Series BMW Sport Trophy Team Brasil 10 0 0 0 0 29 15th
2014 Stock Car Brasil RZ Motorsport 21 0 0 0 1 108 14th
2015 Stock Car Brasil Shell Racing 21 0 0 0 2 147 13th
2016 Stock Car Brasil Shell Racing 21 0 1 0 1 130 16th
2017 Stock Car Brasil Shell V-Power 22 2 0 2 3 174 11th
2018 Stock Car Brasil Shell V-Power 21 1 1 2 3 184 8th
2019 Stock Car Brasil Shell V-Power 21 0 0 0 1 155 14th
2020 Stock Car Brasil RCM Motorsport 18 2 1 0 5 278 2nd
2021 Stock Car Brasil RCM Motorsport 24 1 1 1 7 307 4th
2022 Stock Car Pro Series RCM Motorsport 23 1 1 4 6 262 5th
2023 Stock Car Pro Series RCM Motorsport 24 3 2 4 5 280 3rd
2024 Stock Car Pro Series RCM Motorsport 25 0 0 1 5 864 4th

Complete International Formula 3000 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DC Points
1996 Draco Engineering NÜR
Ret		 PAU
3		 PER
Ret		 HOC
6		 SIL
3		 SPA
9		 MAG
Ret		 EST
1		 MUG
1		 HOC
11		 4th 27
1997 Super Nova Racing SIL
DSQ		 PAU
Ret		 HEL
Ret		 NÜR
1		 PER
2		 HOC
1		 A1R
2		 SPA
5		 MUG
1		 JER
Ret		 1st 39

Complete International Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Pos. Pts
1996 Warsteiner Mercedes-AMG Mercedes C-Class V6 HOC
1
 HOC
2
 NÜR
1
 NÜR
2
 EST
1
 EST
2
 HEL
1
 HEL
2
 NOR
1
 NOR
2
 DIE
1
 DIE
2
 SIL
1
 SIL
2
 NÜR
1
Ret		 NÜR
2
13		 MAG
1
 MAG
2
 MUG
1
 MUG
2
 HOC
1
 HOC
2
 INT
1
 INT
2
 SUZ
1
 SUZ
2
 29th 0
Source:

FIA GT Championship results

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
1998 AMG Mercedes GT1 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM Mercedes-Benz M119 6.0L V8 OSC
1		 SIL
4		 HOC
2		 DIJ
1		 HUN
2		 SUZ
2		 DON
2		 A1R
1		 HMS
1		 LAG
1		 1st 77

24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
1998 Germany AMG-Mercedes France Jean-Marc Gounon
France Christophe Bouchut		 Mercedes-Benz CLK LM GT1 31 DNF DNF
2008 France Peugeot Sport Total France Franck Montagny
Austria Christian Klien		 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP LMP1 379 3rd 3rd

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 WDC Pts.
1999 British American Racing BAR 01 Supertec V10 AUS
Ret		 BRA
DNQ		 SMR MON ESP CAN
Ret		 FRA
9		 GBR
Ret		 AUT
15†		 GER
Ret		 HUN
13		 BEL
Ret		 ITA
Ret		 EUR
8		 MAL
Ret		 JPN
12		 22nd 0
2000 Lucky Strike Reynard BAR Honda BAR 002 Honda V10 AUS
6		 BRA
9		 SMR
12		 GBR
Ret		 ESP
8		 EUR
Ret		 MON
Ret		 CAN
8		 FRA
Ret		 AUT
Ret		 GER
Ret		 HUN
14		 BEL
12		 ITA
6		 USA
6		 JPN
9		 MAL
Ret		 14th 3
2001 B&H Jordan Honda Jordan EJ11 Honda V10 AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN
7		 EUR FRA GBR GER
Ret		 HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 19th 0
2004 Panasonic Toyota Racing Toyota TF104 Toyota V10 AUS
TD		 MAL
TD		 BHR
TD		 SMR
TD		 ESP
TD		 MON
TD		 EUR
TD		 CAN
TD		 USA
TD		 FRA
TD		 GBR
TD		 GER
TD		 22nd 0
Toyota TF104B HUN
Ret		 BEL
10†		 ITA
11		 CHN
Ret		 JPN BRA
13
2005 Panasonic Toyota Racing Toyota TF105 Toyota V10 AUS
TD		 MAL
TD		 BHR
TD		 SMR
TD		 ESP
TD		 MON
TD		 EUR
TD		 CAN
TD		 USA
DNS		 FRA GBR
TD		 GER
TD		 HUN
TD		 TUR
TD		 ITA
TD		 BEL
TD		 BRA
TD		 JPN
TD		 CHN
TD		 NC 0

† Driver did not finish the Grand Prix, but was classified as they had completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete World Series by Nissan results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 DC Pts
2002 Gabord Competición VAL1
1
1		 VAL1
2
3		 JAR
1
1		 JAR
2
1		 ALB
1
2		 ALB
2
2		 MNZ
1
5		 MNZ
2
5		 MAG
1
1		 MAG
2
2		 CAT
1
1		 CAT
2
1		 VAL2
1
1		 VAL2
2
2		 CUR
1
1		 CUR
2
1		 INT
1
DNS		 INT
2
5		 1st 270

Complete Stock Car Pro Series results

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Pos Points
2007 L&M Racing Peugeot 307 INT
DNQ		 CTB
22		 CGD
26		 INT
Ret		 LON
Ret		 SCZ
11		 CTB
Ret		 BSB
25		 ARG
9		 TAR
Ret		 RIO
15		 INT
22		 29th 13
2008 L&M Racing Peugeot 307 INT
14		 BSB
Ret		 CTB SCZ CGD INT RIO LON
22		 CTB BSB
7		 TAR
Ret		 INT
5		 24th 23
2009 RZ Motorsport Peugeot 307 INT
DSQ		 CTB
6		 BSB SCZ INT
25		 SAL RIO
10		 CGD
14		 CTB
14		 BSB
2		 TAR
Ret		 INT
13		 16th 48
2010 RZ Motorsport Chevrolet Vectra INT
Ret		 CTB
13		 VEL
15		 RIO
Ret		 RBP
8		 SAL
Ret		 INT
Ret		 CGD
5		 LON
21		 SCZ BSB
Ret		 CTB
5		 20th 36
2011 RZ Motorsport Chevrolet Vectra CTB
3		 INT
8		 RBP
Ret		 VEL
11		 CGD
16		 RIO
22		 INT
15		 SAL
7		 SCZ
21		 LON
5		 BSB
20		 VEL
25		 15th 51
2012 RZ Motorsport Chevrolet Sonic INT
26		 CTB
Ret		 VEL
6		 RBP
19		 LON
12		 RIO
24		 SAL
14		 CGD
22		 TAR
10		 CUR
Ret		 BRA
8		 INT
5		 13th 89
2013 RZ Motorsport Chevrolet Sonic INT
23		 CUR
6		 TAR
4		 SAL
28		 BRA
9		 CAS
14		 RBP
18		 CAS
29		 VEL
5		 CUR
8		 BRA
8		 INT
1		 7th 144
2014 RZ Motorsport Chevrolet Sonic INT
1
24		 SCZ
1
17		 SCZ
2
5		 BRA
1
5		 BRA
2
24		 GOI
1
Ret		 GOI
2
Ret		 GOI
1
17		 CAS
1
14		 CAS
2
22		 CUR
1
31		 CUR
2
DNS		 VEL
1
5		 VEL
2
5		 SCZ
1
23		 SCZ
2
16		 TAR
1
6		 TAR
2
3		 SAL
1
7		 SAL
2
Ret		 CUR
1
Ret		 14th 108
2015 Shell Racing Chevrolet Sonic GOI
1
21		 RBP
1
Ret		 RBP
2
Ret		 VEL
1
13		 VEL
2
8		 CUR
1
24		 CUR
2
Ret		 SCZ
1
12		 SCZ
2
14		 CUR
1
6		 CUR
2
18		 GOI
1
3		 CAS
1
2		 CAS
2
14		 MOU
1
11		 MOU
2
12		 CUR
1
Ret		 CUR
2
9		 TAR
1
5		 TAR
2
9		 INT
1
8		 13th 147
2016 Shell Racing Chevrolet Cruze CUR
1
5		 VEL
1
14		 VEL
2
DNS		 GOI
1
16		 GOI
2
4		 SCZ
1
10		 SCZ
2
9		 TAR
1
Ret		 TAR
2
8		 CAS
1
2		 CAS
2
10		 INT
1
22†		 LON
1
Ret		 LON
2
5		 CUR
1
14		 CUR
2
Ret		 GOI
1
Ret		 GOI
2
DSQ		 CRI
1
DSQ		 CRI
2
DNS		 INT
1
13		 16th 130
2017 Shell V-Power Chevrolet Cruze GOI
1
Ret		 GOI
2
1		 VEL
1
Ret		 VEL
2
6		 SCZ
1
7		 SCZ
2
18		 CAS
1
18		 CAS
2
DSQ		 CUR
1
22		 CRI
1
4		 CRI
2
10		 VCA
1
17		 VCA
2
11		 LON
1
16		 LON
2
1		 ARG
1
14		 ARG
2
12		 TAR
1
13		 TAR
2
10		 GOI
1
2		 GOI
2
19		 INT
1
13		 11th 174
2018 Shell V-Power Chevrolet Cruze INT
1
4		 CUR
1
20		 CUR
2
8		 VEL
1
2		 VEL
2
7		 LON
1
13		 LON
2
11		 SCZ
1
13		 SCZ
2
13		 GOI
1
6		 MOU
1
12		 MOU
2
DSQ		 CAS
1
16		 CAS
2
9		 VCA
1
8		 VCA
2
4		 TAR
1
3		 TAR
2
Ret		 GOI
1
DSQ		 GOI
2
Ret		 INT
1
1		 8th 184
2019 Shell V-Power Chevrolet Cruze VEL
1
11		 VCA
1
DSQ		 VCA
2
DSQ		 GOI
1
2		 GOI
2
21		 LON
1
26		 LON
2
17		 SCZ
1
5		 SCZ
2
11		 MOU
1
19		 MOU
2
20		 INT
1
8		 VEL
1
12		 VEL
2
18		 CAS
1
14		 CAS
2
15		 VCA
1
6		 VCA
2
4		 GOI
1
18		 GOI
2
7		 INT
1
Ret		 14th 155
2020 RCM Motorsport Toyota Corolla GOI
1
1		 GOI
2
Ret		 INT
1
3		 INT
2
1		 LON
1
11		 LON
2
13		 CAS
1
9		 CAS
2
Ret		 CAS
3
2		 VCA
1
12		 VCA
2
4		 CUR
1
12		 CUR
2
6		 CUR
3
5		 GOI
1
Ret		 GOI
2
5		 GOI
3
10		 INT
1
2		 2nd 278
2021 RCM Motorsport Toyota Corolla GOI
1
16		 GOI
2
15		 INT
1
16		 INT
2
4		 VCA
1
2		 VCA
2
3		 VCA
1
10		 VCA
2
1		 CAS
1
13		 CAS
2
2		 CUR
1
22		 CUR
2
4		 CUR
1
Ret		 CUR
2
10		 GOI
1
Ret		 GOI
2
DNS		 GOI
1
3		 GOI
2
7		 VCA
1
2		 VCA
2
6		 SCZ
1
10		 SCZ
2
5		 INT
1
12		 INT
2
2		 4th 307
2022 RCM Motorsport Toyota Corolla INT
1
5		 GOI
1
20		 GOI
2
13		 RIO
1
18		 RIO
2
Ret		 VCA
1
1		 VCA
2
25		 VEL
1
2		 VEL
2
11		 VEL
1
DSQ		 VEL
2
Ret		 INT
1
15		 INT
2
3		 VCA
1
6		 VCA
2
2		 SCZ
1
7		 SCZ
2
18		 GOI
1
2		 GOI
2
2		 GOI
1
12		 GOI
2
17		 INT
1
13		 INT
2
4		 5th 262
2023 RCM Motorsport Toyota Corolla GOI
1
3		 GOI
2
17		 INT
1
10		 INT
2
17		 TAR
1
24		 TAR
2
4		 CAS
1
11		 CAS
2
Ret		 INT
1
6		 INT
2
1		 VCA
1
1		 VCA
2
Ret		 GOI
1
4		 GOI
2
8		 VEL
1
15		 VEL
2
2		 BUE
1
27		 BUE
2
10		 VCA
1
Ret		 VCA
2
Ret		 CAS
1
6		 CAS
2
4		 INT
1
1		 INT
2
10		 3rd 280
2024 RCM Motorsport Toyota Corolla GOI
1
5		 GOI
2
19		 VCA
1
2		 VCA
2
C		 INT
1
5		 INT
2
6		 CAS
1
2		 CAS
2
5		 VCA
1
4		 VCA
2
20		 VCA
3
14		 GOI
1
3		 GOI
2
10		 BLH
1
17		 BLH
2
11		 VEL
1
12		 VEL
2
Ret		 BUE
1
2		 BUE
2
10		 URU
1
10		 URU
2
6		 GOI
1
10		 GOI
2
19		 INT
1
2		 INT
2
10		 4th 864

† Driver did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

GT1 World Championship results

Year Team Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Pos Points
2010 Reiter Lamborghini ABU
QR
10
 ABU
CR
5
 SIL
QR		 SIL
CR		 BRN
QR		 BRN
CR		 PRI
QR
13
 PRI
CR
10
 SPA
QR
2
 SPA
CR
1
 NÜR
QR
4
 NÜR
CR
14
 ALG
QR		 ALG
CR		 NAV
QR
1
 NAV
CR
1
 INT
QR
Ret
 INT
CR
Ret
 SAN
QR		 SAN
CR		 8th 75
2011 Sumo Power GT Nissan ABU
QR
4
 ABU
CR
Ret
 ZOL
QR
12
 ZOL
CR
Ret
 ALG
QR
8
 ALG
CR
7
 SAC
QR		 SAC
CR		 SIL
QR		 SIL
CR		 NAV
QR		 NAV
CR		 PRI
QR		 PRI
CR		 ORD
QR		 ORD
CR		 BEI
QR		 BEI
CR		 SAN
QR		 SAN
CR		 28th 9

FIA GT Series results

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos. Points
2013 BMW Sport Trophy Team Brasil BMW Z4 GT3 Pro NOG
QR
6
 NOG
CR
9
 ZOL
QR
11
 ZOL
CR
8
 ZAN
QR
9
 ZAN
CR
5
 SVK
QR
7
 SVK
CR
4
 NAV
QR		 NAV
CR		 BAK
QR
14
 BAK
CR
Ret
 15th 29

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Ricardo Zonta para niños

kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Ricardo Zonta Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.