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Ernesto VisoVenezuelan racing driver
Date of Birth: 19.03.1985
Country: ![]() |
Content:
- Early Career and Formula Three Success
- Move to Formula GP2 and Formula One Involvement
- Serious Accident and Return to GP2
- Transition to IndyCar Series
Early Career and Formula Three Success
Ernesto Viso began his motorsport journey in karting in 1993, where he competed until 2001. He transitioned to the US Barber Formula Dodge East in 2001, where he emerged as the champion. Viso also participated in the Winter Series of the Italian Formula Renault at the end of the year.
In 2002, Viso made his Formula Three debut in the British Formula Three Championship. He also competed in the Eurocup Formula Renault 2000 and the Winter Series of the British Formula Three. In 2003, he competed in the National Class of the British Formula Three Championship, where he became champion after his main rival crashed out.
Move to Formula GP2 and Formula One Involvement
Viso moved up to the main class of the British Formula Three Championship in 2004. His performances caught the attention of the F3000 team Durango, which invited him to drive for them until the end of the season.
In 2005, Viso participated in the inaugural season of the GP2 Series, driving for the BCN Competicion team alongside Hiroki Yoshimoto. In 2006, he continued in GP2 with the iSport team. He won two Sunday sprints in San Marino and Spain. He also served as a third driver for the Spyker MF1 Team and participated in Friday practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Serious Accident and Return to GP2
Ahead of the 2007 French Grand Prix, it was announced that Viso would replace Sergio Jimenez at Racing Engineering. His race ended on the first lap after a horrific crash with Michael Ammermüller and Kazuki Nakajima, in which his car went over the concrete barrier and landed within a meter of a concrete bridge barrier. Viso suffered only bruises, a sprained arm, and a severe concussion. The accident bore striking similarities to the fatal crash involving Marco Campos in 1995. Viso was inches away from sharing the same fate. Felipe Albuquerque replaced him for the British round. Viso eventually returned to action, but he was later replaced by Marcos Martínez.
Transition to IndyCar Series
Viso made the switch to the newly merged IndyCar Series in 2008, signing with HVM Racing. He made his oval racing debut on March 29th. He finished fourth in the subsequent race in Pittsburgh and eighth in Long Beach. After the Watkins Glen round (where he finished tenth), Viso was diagnosed with mumps and was forced to sit out the next race. He ended the season 18th in the standings.
Viso competed full-time again in 2009, but success remained elusive. He only finished in the top 10 once (7th at Watkins Glen) and again finished 18th overall. For the following season, Viso switched to KV Racing Technology. While he still struggled to find consistent success, he finished in the top 20 more often and had his best race finish in Iowa, where he came third. The season concluded with him finishing 17th in the championship.