Racing season has't started well for Ana Beatriz who undergone surgery to repair her scaphoid bone (wrist) and she is obliged to stay out of Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama at Barber Motorsports Park, in order to be fully recovered. Instead of Beatriz, the No. 24 Dreyer & Reinbold Racing car will be driven by American Le Mans Series champion and former Champ Car driver Simon Pagenaud, who will makes eventually his IZOD IndyCar Series debut.Pagenaud commented:
"I'm fortunate to have the opportunity to drive Bia's No. 24 IndyCar this weekend. It's an awkward situation and not the best for a driver to race in circumstances like this, but I wish her the best and hope she has a very quick recovery and I will work hard for a good finish for DRR, Bia and Ipiranga/Blazemaster.
I've been looking to get into IndyCar for several years and now is my chance, so I just have to say thank you to everyone for giving me the opportunity."
Ana Beatriz, 24, of Brazil, suffered a wrist injury on Lap 5 of the Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg when her car made contact with the No. 38 car driven by Graham Rahal but she managed to finish the race 14th.
"I could feel that my hand was sore and as the race went on it started to bother me more and I was in a lot of pain. I was just focused and determined on finishing the race. I really wanted it knowing that I wasn't 100 percent. Fortunately, I was able to finish the race and I got some good experience under my belt.
It wasn't until after the race that I realized that something was actually broken. I was pretty upset, but the team and the league have been great. I'm putting a lot of effort in being ready for Long Beach (April 17)."
Pagenaud, was Will Power's teammate in the 2007 Champ Car World Series season. He moved to ALMS for the 2008 season with de Ferran Motorsports and in 2010 he moved to Patrón Highcroft team, co-driving with David Brabham to the LMP1 title.
Dreyer & Reinbold Racing co-owner Dennis Reinbold commented:
"We wanted to put Bia in the car for this race, but it's more important that she heals properly and has a quick recovery," . "She's working hard and headed down the right track so that she can be ready for Long Beach. While she recovers we are happy that Simon can fill in for her this weekend.
