Ricardo González (racing driver)

Ricardo comes from a family of drivers; his father Roberto González Sr. finished in third place in the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1976 and his brother Roberto Jr. competed in the Champ Car World Series in 2003 and 2004. He is a father of four children and lives with his family in Mexico City. His grandfather Roberto González Barrera was the chairman of food company Gruma and bank Banorte. His daughter Roberta Luciana, at 11 years old is a 2013 National equestrian champion in Mexico.

He is the president of the foundation ASUCQ which was formed to create Arkansas State University-Campus Querétaro, a campus of the Arkansas State University System in Querétaro, Mexico."US university is first to open campus in MX."Mexico News Daily, 27 October 2016. http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/us-university-is-first-to-open-campus-in-mx/. The campus opened with its first class of students on 4 September 2017.{{Cite web |last=Celis |first=Fernanda |date=2017-12-18 |title=Conoce el primer campus de una universidad de EU en México |url=https://www.forbes.com.mx/conoce-la-primera-universidad-eu-mexico/ |access-date=2024-06-27 |website=Forbes México |language=es-MX}}

In 1994-1995 Ricardo was the youngest driver to participate in the Mexican F3 FIA, His career began in karts in 1990.

Indy Lights Panamericana

{{See also|2001 Formula Chrysler Euroseries season}}

In 2001, González took part in the Formula Chrysler Euroseries as teammate to his older brother Roberto at Swiss team Alpie Motorsport. Ricardo finished the season fourth as Roberto was runner-up. In 2003 he raced in the World Series by Nissan.

{{See also|2010 American Le Mans Series season}}

In 2010 he returned from a seven-year break from racing to contest the American Le Mans Series. After starting four races in the GTC class, he and teammate Luis Díaz switched to the LMPC class for the final four rounds of the season.

{{See also|2011 American Le Mans Series season}}

In 2011 season González drove for Core Autosport team in the American Le Mans Series LMPC class with his co-driver Gunnar Jeannette, they got the victory in two races, GP of Long Beach and GP of Mosport, with 156 points they won the American Le Mans Series season.{{cite web |url=http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/alms/LMPC.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2011-04-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111106131509/http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/alms/LMPC.pdf |archivedate=2011-11-06 }}

{{See also|2012 FIA World Endurance Championship season}}

In 2012 he is racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Greaves Motorsport alongside Elton Julian and Christian Zugel.{{cite news|url=http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/le-mans-greaves-confirms-wec-driver-lineup/|title=LE MANS: Greaves Confirms WEC Driver Lineup|first=John|last=Dagys|work=SpeedTV.com|date=6 January 2012|accessdate=20 March 2012|archive-date=8 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108024711/http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/le-mans-greaves-confirms-wec-driver-lineup/|url-status=dead}}

In 24 Hours of Le Mans González and his co-drivers Julian and Zugel from Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan team, got 5th place in the LMP2 class (twelfth overall).

{{See also|2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season}}

For 2013, González was hired by OAK Morgan-Nissan to drive Morgan-Nissans in the LMP2 class on the FIA World Endurance Championship. González shares the number 35 entry with co-drivers Bertrand Baguette and Martin Plowman.

The 2013 season started at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan No. 35 finished in fourth place (twelfth overall) to get their first 10 points for the World Championship.{{Cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-silverstone/results-and-chrono.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-10-20 |archive-date=2012-08-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120827010220/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-silverstone/results-and-chrono.html |url-status=dead }}

On the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, González, Baguette and Plowman finished in third position (for cars registered for points in the FIA World Endurance Championship), of LMP2 class (eleventh overall).{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-spa-francorchamps/results-and-chrono.html |title=WEC 6 Hours of Spa−Francorchamps > Results and chrono |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505230203/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-spa-francorchamps/results-and-chrono.html |archive-date=2012-05-05}}

File:Morgan Nissan LMP2.JPG, González's co-driver at the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans winners of class LMP2]]

In 24 Hours of Le Mans Ricardo and his co-drivers Bertrand Baguette and Martin Plowman from OAK Racing Morgan LMP2-Nissan team, won 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in LMP2 class (seventh overall). Their Morgan LMP2 covered a total of 329 laps in the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was run in very difficult weather conditions and several serious accidents bringing out a record of twelve safety car caution periods.{{cite web | url = http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichiers/1/1/ressources/Pdf/2013/24-heures-du-mans/classification/stats/stats24.pdf | title = Statistiques 24ème Heure / 24th Hour Statistics | publisher = Automobile Club de l'Ouest | date = 23 June 2013 | accessdate = 23 June 2013 | url-status = dead | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20131022123833/http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichiers/1/1/ressources/Pdf/2013/24-heures-du-mans/classification/stats/stats24.pdf | archivedate = 22 October 2013 }} So, González became the first Mexican driver to get the first place of since Pedro Rodríguez in 1968.{{cite news| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/108252 | work=Autosport | date=23 June 2013| title=Le Mans 24 Hours: Kristensen, McNish, Duval clinch Audi victory }} González recognize to Pedro Rodríguez as his hero.{{Cite web | url=http://www.record.com.mx/article/piloto-mexicano-gana-24-horas-de-le-mans |title = Error404|date = 2015-08-20}} Heavy rains forced race officials to start the race under safety car conditions, completing eight laps before the race was temporarily stopped due to no improvement in track conditions.

The 6 Hours of São Paulo were held at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace, on 30 August–1 September. González, Baguette and Plowman got the second place of LMP2 category, only behind Oreca 03-Nissan team (Rusinov, Martin and Conway). With this result the Mexican driver got his second podium of the year.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-sao-paulo/results-and-chrono.html |title=Results and chrono WEC 6 hours of Sao Paulo |accessdate=2013-10-20 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019202512/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-sao-paulo/results-and-chrono.html |archivedate=2013-10-19 }}

In the fifth round of 2013 season were the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas on 20–22 September. González, Baguette and Plowman obtained the seventh place of LMP2 category (eleventh overall).{{Cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-circuit-of-the-americas/results-and-chrono.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=2013-10-20 |archive-date=2013-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019202525/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-circuit-of-the-americas/results-and-chrono.html |url-status=dead }}

On 18–20 October, in the 6 hours of Fuji, following a two-hour delay the race was restarted once more under the safety car, lapping another eight circuits before officials stopped the race again and eventually called an end to the event. The No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan (Baguette, González and Plowman), started in the pole position and was declared the race winner of LMP2 class (fourth overall), in the same position they started. Due to difficult weather conditions half points will be awarded for all the teams and drivers in the event.{{cite news | url = http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/110760 | title = Fuji WEC: Toyota gets victory as rain ends race | publisher = Haymarket Press | work = Autosport.com | last = Watkins | first = Gary | date = 20 October 2013 | accessdate = 20 October 2013}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-fuji/results-and-chrono.html |title=6 Hours of Fuji > Results and chrono |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014033927/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-fuji/results-and-chrono.html |archive-date=2012-10-14}}

During the 6 Hours of Shanghai on 8–9 November, the No. 35 OAK Morgan-Nissan trio (Baguette, González and Plowman), qualified in fourth position and finished in third place (7th overall). With this new podium the French team extend their lead on 15 points to the final race of the championship.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-shanghai/results-and-chrono.html |title=6 Hours of Shanghai > Results and chrono |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029232306/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-shanghai/results-and-chrono.html |archive-date=2012-10-29}} {{cite news| url=http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/111211 | work=Autosport | date=9 November 2013| title=Shanghai WEC: Audi's McNish, Kristensen, Duval claim 2013 title }}{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/courses/classification.html |title=Classification | FIA World Endurance Championship |accessdate=2018-03-18 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203161744/http://www.fiawec.com/courses/classification.html |archivedate=2014-12-03 }}

On the last race of the season the 6 Hours of Bahrain on 29–30 November, González, Baguette and Plowman qualified in sixth place and finished in fourth position (sixth overall). Therefore, the Mexican Ricardo González won the 2013 FIA WEC World Championship for drivers and teams in LMP2 class.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-bahrain/results-and-chrono.html |title=Results and chrono WEC 6 hours of Bahrain |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930000724/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-bahrain/results-and-chrono.html |archive-date=2012-09-30}}

{{See also|2014 European Le Mans Series season}}

Le Castellet, France – April 2, 2014 – Ricardo González will compete in the 2014 European Le Mans Series with ART Grand Prix driving a McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in GTC class. González will run for the first time in his career in a GT3 car, which he will share with Alex Brundle and Karim Ajlani.{{Cite web | url=http://www.icontact-archive.com/_pmUeOOc9FY8dk2ZsHpfwQAXFVCnSdVI |title = Ricardo Gonzalez Signs with Art Grand Prix for the 2014 European le Mans Series}}

{{See also|2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season}}

In 2015 González returns to FIA World Endurance Championship with the Russian team G-Drive Racing along with his co-drivers Gustavo Yacamán and Pipo Derani.{{cite web | url =http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/g-drive-confirms-two-cars-engine-lineups/| title = G-Drive Confirms Two Cars, Engine, Lineups| last = DiZinno| first = Tony | publisher = John Dagys Media | date = 5 February 2015 | accessdate = 5 February 2015}}

{{See also|2016 FIA World Endurance Championship season}}

In 2016 González returns to FIA World Endurance Championship as owner and driver of the Mexican team RGR Sport by Morand. His co-drivers were ex Formula 1 Bruno Senna and Filipe Albuquerque.

In the 6 Hours of Silverstone the Mexican rookie team won the race in the LMP2 Class (fifth overall), incredible result in their debut as a team.

Second podium for González and the Mexican team in the 6 Hours of Nürburgring (ninth overall), only behind #36 car Signatech Alpine.{{Cite web | url=http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nurburgring-post-race-notebook/ | title=Nürburgring Post-Race Notebook – Sportscar365| date=31 August 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-nurburgring/results.html |title=6 Hours of Nurburgring > Results |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831012551/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-nurburgring/results.html |archive-date=2015-08-31}}

On the fifth race of the season, the 6 Hours of Mexico, the Aztec squad achieved the first place in the LMP2 class (sixth overall), with the minimal advantage of 1.985 seconds over the second place, the #36 Signatech Alpine. The car #43 started from the pole position but missing 4 hours and 4 minutes the car fell to third place due to a contact with the #26 G-Drive Racing but rallied to take the checkered flag in the rain with Albuquerque behind the wheel. The RGR Sport by Morand recorded the fastest lap on turn number 28. Great success for González as principal, driver and promoter of the event in his home soil.{{cite web |url=http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-mexico/results.html |title=6 Hours of Mexico > Results |website=www.fiawec.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160905003835/http://www.fiawec.com/races/6-hours-of-mexico/results.html |archive-date=2016-09-05}} {{Cite web | url=http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/mexico-city-post-race-notebook/ | title=Mexico City Post-Race Notebook – Sportscar365| date=4 September 2016}}

* Season in progress.

* Season still in progress.

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://ricardogonzalez.com.mx/}} {{in lang|es}}
• {{DriverDB driver|ricardo-gonzalez|Ricardo González}}

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{{succession box | before = none | title = FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP2 Drivers | years=2013 with:
Bertrand Baguette
Martin Plowman | after= Sergey Zlobin}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Ricardo}}

Category:1978 births

Category:Living people

Category:Racing drivers from Monterrey

Category:American Le Mans Series drivers

Category:24 Hours of Le Mans drivers

Category:FIA World Endurance Championship drivers

Category:European Le Mans Series drivers

Category:Morand Racing drivers

Category:Greaves Motorsport drivers

Category:OAK Racing drivers

Category:G-Drive Racing drivers

Category:ART Grand Prix drivers

Category:Level 5 Motorsports drivers

Category:Mexican racing drivers