Helmut Marko
Maurício moved up to International Formula 3000 for the 1999 season, driving for Super Nova alongside Jason Watt, but after a difficult start he was dropped after three races in favour of David Saelens. He moved to the Red Bull Junior Team-backed team run by Helmut Marko, replacing Markus Friesacher and partnering Bernoldi. Despite failing to qualify for three of the remaining races in a heavily-oversubscribed field of drivers, he scored his first point at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit, placing him 22nd in the championship.