F1Weekly Podcast # 1021
Play Podcast: 12-04-23f1weekly1021mp3
NASIR AND THE HOST ARE GETTING IN THE HOLIDAY MOOD WITH A FULLY LOADED MOTORSPORTS MONDIAL SLEIGH! LOOSH ON THE LOOSE IS BACK WITH HIS 2023 FORMULA 1 SEASON REVIEW. THIS WEEKS INTERVIEW, USFPRO 2000 DRIVER MICHAEL D’ORLANDO AND, THE BONUS IS A SHORT CONVERSATION WITH TONY GEORGE.
Michael d’Orlando is one of the United States’ top motorsports talents making Michael d’Orlando is one of the United States’ top motorsports talents making his mark on the open wheel car racing scene around North America, with his sites set on a career in the NTT IndyCar series. After a nine year career in karting as a multi-time national and international champion, and ultimately a factory team driver for the world-renowned Birel ART racing team in Europe, he made his move from race karts to race cars in 2018.
The 20-year-old American from Hartsdale, NY competed in only four events of the Road to Indy Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship series. In 2019, he competed in only four events in the F4 United States Championship series before getting his first full season of competition in 2020. With Indianapolis-based Cape Motorsports, the most decorated race team in the Road to Indy, he was 4th place overall in the 2020 USF2000 Drivers’ Championship and 2nd overall in the 2021 USF2000 Drivers’ Championship.
His return to the series in 2022 with Cape Motorsports was nothing short of impressive, ultimately earning the USF2000 Champion title in epic fashion. In addition to his four victories, eight podiums and five pole positions, he became the only driver to earn back-to-back weekend sweeps at the Lucas Oil Freedom 75 (2021 and 2022).
The championship title in 2022 earned him a scholarship to advance up a step in the USF Pro Championships (previously known as the Road to Indy) to the 2023 Indy Pro 2000 series. His four victories and six pole positions with Turn 3 Motorsports put him fourth overall in the drivers’ championship.
During his tenure in the driver development program, d’Orlando has a podium or pole position result on every circuit of competition except one ,and is one of only three drivers with a podium result on each of a street circuit, road course and an oval.
Michael d’Orlando is currently working to develop partnerships and sponsorships to return to action in the 2024 Indy NXT series, which is wholly owned and operated by Penske Entertainment, whom also owns and operates the NTT IndyCar series.