André Couto
| André Couto | |
|---|---|
Couto at the Silverstone round of the 2014 Blancpain Endurance Series season.
|
|
| Nationality | Macanese |
| Born |
14 December 1976 Lisbon, Portugal |
| Super GT career | |
| Debut season | 2001 |
| Current team | Lexus Team WedsSport Bandoh |
| Car no. | 19 |
| Former teams | SARD, Team Take One |
| Starts | 92 |
| Wins | 4 |
| Poles | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 3 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2015 |
| Previous series | |
|
2005–12 2004 2003 2002 2001 2001 1998–2000 1996–97 1996 1995 |
WTCC JGTC (GT500) ETCC World Series by Nissan JGTC (GT500) Formula Nippon International F3000 Italian F3 German F3 Formula Opel Euroseries |
| Championship titles | |
| 2015 2005 2000 1995 |
Super GT Series - GT300 1000km of Suzuka Macau F3 Grand Prix EFDA Nations Cup |
André Couto (born 14 December 1976) is a Macanesemotor racing driver who is best known for winning his home F3 Grand Prix in 2000 and Japan's Super GT GT300 Championship in 2015.
André Couto was born in Lisbon but moved to Macau with his family when he was four. He started his career in Karting in Macau influenced by the popular Macau Grand Prix and friends who competed in the local Karting championship. He rapidly enjoyed success and started competing and winning in international level. He moved to racing cars in 1995 where he competed in European Formula Opel Lotus (Winning a round in the Estoril Circuit). 1995 was also the debut year in the Formula Three event of the Macau Grand Prix where he briefly led after a duel with race winner Ralf Schumacher.
Couto competed in German Formula Three in 1996 before moving to the Italian series in 1997, where he finished the season as runner-up in the championship.
He competed in the F3 Macau Grand Prix six times, eventually winning it in 2000, after India's Narain Karthikeyan, 24, and Japan's Takuma Sato, 23, crashed out of contention in leg one. Couto, driving for Opel Team BSR and starting second on the grid for the decider, took the lead immediately and fought off the intentions of Paolo Montin, 24, and Japan's Ryo Fukuda, 21. When Robert Lechner crashed with two laps to go, the safety car was called out and the drivers drove in formation behind it to the chequered flag. It marked the first time a Macanese driver has won the Formula 3 race title.
Couto's win was a surreal experience for many but for Couto's father, Carlos, it was the proudest moment of his life. "This was the one race Andre always wanted to win," he said. "He was born in Lisbon but we moved back to Macau when he was four. My wife Isabel and I have now lived in Macau for many years. Isabel was born here and all her family is from here. This will always be Andre's home. He speaks fluent Cantonese like most Portuguese people living here. He is a Macau citizen; it is what he wanted. We've lived here happily for many years. Today is a special day for everyone in Macau."
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Wikipedia