 Michele was asked to step in at the last moment, to replace Lucas di Grassi.Rugolo has also competed in single seaters, coming fourth in Italian Formula Three in both 2004 and 2006.Rugolo's success in F3 and connections with Durango, who also ran a Formula 3000 team, saw him called up to the series for the final race of the 2004 season; his home race at Monza.