Fittipaldi joins Lotus World Series Formula V8 3.5 outfit
Pietro Fittipaldi will join Rene Binder at the Lotus World Series Formula V8 3.5 team in 2017
With the British Fortec squad, Fittipaldi finished 10th in the 2016 standings, taking a lone podium in the season finale at Barcelona.
The grandson of two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi drove for Lotus in the end-of-year test at Jerez, setting the fastest time on the second day.
"I really enjoyed working with the team when we met last year for winter testing," Fittipaldi said.
"It's an extremely professional team, we did two test days and we topped morning and afternoon sessions.
"I felt really comfortable and I'm very happy to drive with them for 2017.
"45 years ago my grandfather won the Formula 1 world championship with Lotus and this is a great coincidence."
Binder finished seventh last year with the Czech outfit as a rookie, taking five podium finishes.
"For the first time in my single-seater career I will continue with the same team, which in my opinion might be even a little advantage," he said.
"2016 was a very important year for me so we just need to stay focus and build on the five podiums that we achieved in Aragon, Paul Ricard, Silverstone and Monza.
"Lotus has definitely made me a better driver and I want to thank [team manager] Bob Vavrik and [team boss] Tony Charouz for their confidence".
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