The wind is changing

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Despite Formula 1’s starting grid is still bereft of Italian names, something in our Motor-Sport is changing, certainly for the better. The talents are not lacking, as proved by the many successes of our bearers inside and outside the Italian borders.

In past years, the Tricolor has played a role as true protagonist in the top motor racing competitions and now, at last, the wind is starting to blow again in the right direction, also thanks to the programs implemented by Federazione, through ACI and Scuola Federale. “From 2010, through its Scuola Federale, ACI has put on track numerous initiatives, aimed at the enhancement and development of our drivers. Programs, such as tutoring on racing tracks, the internships on Circuits and others, which are starting to show results right now“, Gian Carlo Minardi says, speaking on www.minardi.it. “Our School enjoys the esteem of FIA men, who had the opportunity to touch and appreciate the way we operate during the weekend of the Italian F.4 Championship and the F.3 European in Imola“. Next year, Monza (30th-31st May 2015) will be the meeting point the two categories – F.3 and F.4 – strongly desired by the Federazione Internazionale for guys’ growth towards professionalism. “Unfortunately, more than one generation of our drivers could not enjoy this support, but we wanted to remedy with specific programs that have been refined year after year and to date have been involved even 39 drivers, who have then been able to win out of national borders, such as Liberati, Cerqui, Cheever Jr. Marciello, Agostini, Fuoco, Ghiotto and Ravera, just to name a few. Newcomers, Drudi and Russo, great protagonists of F.4 Tricolore and 2014 Supercorso“.

“Our job is to make grow drivers, despite the difficulties, leading to professionalism that does not necessarily mean F1. The Circus remains the great dream, but there are lots of other realities in the world of motor racing competitions. Eddie Cheever Jr. flew overseas with Nascar, while Matteo Cairoli has been chosen by Official Porsche after starting the season in Formula 4 and winning the Italian Championship of Porsche Cup. Then, we have many guys who defend themselves very well among the open-wheels, as Agostini, Fuoco and Giovinazzi and Marciello, who signed his F1 debut with Ferrari Team during testing of Abu Dhabi “, the manager from Faenza says.

The new challenge is called Nazionale Azzurra di Velocità. “We are looking for necessary resources to support more and better our guys, through the creation of a national Italian team to place side by side the ACI TEAM ITALIA RALLY program,  that will start as early as 2015“.

FIA WEC – Sergey Zlobin LMP2 Champion

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At the end of the Six Hours of São Paulo, last round of this season for FIA World Endurance Championship, along with Ferrari’s win of Constructors’ title with Davide Rigon’s podium and the first seal marked by Porsche, an acquaintance of Minardi Team conquered the success in LMP2 category. Sergey Zlobin is the new Champion in LMP2 Endurance World and the first Muscovite driver achieving this important result.

At the end of the eight rounds of GT World Championship, Zlobin found success at the wheel of the Nissan Oreca 03R of SMP-AF Corse team. Sergey was among the first Russian drivers to cross the iron curtain, to come and race in the Old Country, signing his baptism in the F1 Circus as first Russian tester thanks to Minardi Team. “I have to congratulate Sergey for this really important result, both for him and for his Country. This success arrives during an important year for Russia, having held for the first time also the first Grand Prix in an absolutely spectacular setting“, Gian Carlo Minardi says. “Moreover, I’m also particularly happy, because with my own team, in 2002, a Russian driver signed his F1 debut. I like to remember that in 1985 we were the first Formula 1 team being present in “Red” Square, thanks to Simod’s partnership. Subsequently, in 2002 we brought Gazprom within the Circus and in 2004 SMP Bank. I’ve always maintained that this country, once developed in Motorsport world, would have produced interesting athletes, as for all other disciplines“, the manager from Faenza concludes. “Today, we have a very young Kvyat marked Red Bull, who will be a race driver in RBR next year“.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon ends the season with podium and Constructors’ title for Ferrari

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Memorable season final for Davide Rigon, paired with team-mate James Calado and AF Corse. After the Six Hours of São Paulo, scene of World Endurance Championship’s last round, a stunning jackpot is now completed, thanks to Ferrari’s victory of Constructors’ title, after Team and Drivers’ titles (of the team-mates Bruni-Vilander ), already celebrated in Sakhir, one race in advance.

On the demanding track of Interlagos, the 27-year-old Venetian driver together with all Amato Ferrari’s staff have shown up on track with the only goal to give Maranello team’s hands the title of GT Constructors. The win came at the end of a sensational race, finished with the safety car, because of a terrible accident that involved the Porsche 919 Hybrid LMP1 of Webber and Ferrari #90. Davide has ended his first season as Ferrari official driver in FIA World Endurance Championship with a fourth consecutive podium – the fifth of season – bringing the Ferrari 458 LMGTE-Pro number 71 in third place and ahead of the team-mates. “It’s been an incredible weekend. We had the Constructors’ title for Ferrari GT as the only goal. Together with this goal, also the last podium of the season is arrived, at the end of a tight race“, Davide Rigon says. “I’ve always liked a lot Interlagos circuit, because it’s old-style, with a good mix of elements. We knew we had worked well and that the title would be within our reach. It’s the perfect end of an exciting season. I have to congratulate all the mechanics and engineers of AF Corse and, above all, Ferrari. Celebrating such an important victory on a world stage with the colours of the Prancing Horse is sensational, unique“, Rigon concludes.

“Perfect end of the season for Davide, AF Corse and Ferrari, and I send them my most sincere congratulations for scoring the perfect hat trick of world championship. Winning Constructors’, Team and Drivers’ titles in such a selective and important contest as FIA WEC championship is really incredible. And they have succeeded“, the manager Giovanni Minardi says. “Racing on tracks already known, Davide has been able to give his best, bringing his contribution. Five podiums, including four in the last four rounds, are an important reward. Victory missed, but, thanks to the experience gained this year, it will be the goal of 2015“.

Next Saturday, December 6th Davide will fly to the spectacular Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi, in order to attend Ferrari World Finals.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon “In Brazil for Constructors’ title”

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“In São Paulo the goal will be only one: Constructors’ title for Ferrari“. These are the first words of Davide Rigon, flying to Brazil, scene of the last round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Rigon, paired with team-mate James Calado, will be at the starting grid at the wheel of Ferrari 458  #71, being confident of last three consecutive podium finishes in Japan, China and Bahrain, which launch him in sixth place of GTE-Pro standings. Right at Sakhir, Amato Ferrari’s team celebrated the achievement of titles dedicated to Teams and Drivers, with the team-mates Bruni and Vilander, neo World Champions. Now, only the last piece missing  to complete a season that could be unforgettable: Constructors’ title for Ferrari. After seven rounds, Ferrari team leads the standings with 261 points.

“São Paolo is a track that I really like, a circuit of the old-school, with several ups and downs. The asphalt has been redone and it should make the cars even faster. In these days, we worked hard to be prepared at our best for this decisive event. We are ready and determined to end the season in the best way. Two weeks ago, we won the first two titles. Now, missing the third one“, the Venetian driver continues. “It won’t certainly be easy, but, once again, I can rely on the experience of last year “.

Right on Interlagos’ track, Davide has signed his debut in World Championship with a second place.

Kart – Joao Vieira, great protagonist of the XVIII edition of SuperNationals Kart

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Exciting weekend for Joao Vieira, busy in Las Vegas for the XVIII edition of SuperNationals Kart.

The 1,370 metres of the kart track in Las Vegas, entertainment capital and most populous city in the state of Nevada, were the scene of the biggest international event of the year in karting world. Managed by Giovanni Minardi of Minardi Management, the young Brazilian driver, already winner of the edition in 2010, was once again among the great protagonists of the XVIII SuperNationals Kart edition. Right from the first free practice sessions, the Brazilian set the pace, signing the best performance in both sessions and closing Qualifying session with the tenth time, 244 thousandths from pole-position. In Qualifying race, unfortunately, the engine collapsed and its replacement caused him a heavy penalty for the final.

Having started from the 40th place of grid, Joao became the protagonist of an incredible recovery, closing the gap to the final ninth place. “The final was exciting. I really enjoyed the race, with all those overtakings“, Joao Vieira said, satisfied. “Regret certainly remains, as I could have fought for the final win with my pace. Unfortunately, because of engine’s replacement, I was forced to start from the fortieth position“.

KART – Joao Vieira at SuperNationals Kart of Las Vegas

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Parked the Tatuus F4 #28, Joao Vieira is ready to return to his first love, after ending the first season in open-wheel and in the Italian F.4 Championship, with victory in the Adria Winter Trophy.

This weekend the young Brazilian driver will be in Las Vegas among the protagonists of the 18th SuperNationals Kart edition, the largest international event of the year in karting world. For Joao, it will be a return on the 1,370 meters of the go-kart track and he will try to repeat the success of 2010, at the wheel of a Parolin chassis. Even in last year edition, the Minardi Management driver was competing for the win. After scoring the fastest time in Qualifying in the rain, a problem in the first stages of the race took him out of the games for SuperSunday. “It’s always nice to come back here in Las Vegas. I know very well the environment, having already won. Last year, unfortunately, an overheating problem knocked me out, but this year I will try to take revenge by hunting success“, Joao Vieira says. “I finished the season in Formula 4 with a first and second in Adria International Raceway. After several months and then I go back behind the wheel of a kart“, the Brazilian driver concludes.

FIA WEC – Another podium for Davide Rigon at the 6 Hours of Bahrain

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And three! For the third appointment in a row, Davide Rigon paired with team-mate James Calado wins the podium in the World Endurance Championship, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 GTEPro. After Fuji and Shanghai, it’s the turn of Sakhir, scene of the seventh round of FIA World Endurance Championship, winning  four podiums , with another round on the calendar still to be raced.

Right from the beginning, Davide and James stood out on the demanding circuit of Bahrain, bringing the Ferrari #71 of Amato Ferrari team in top placements of Pro class. After taking the necessary steps in the two free practice sessions, they signed the third best lap time, behind the twin-car #51 of the new World Champions Bruni-Vilander, despite the hard tyres. The 6 Hours proveed to be a tight race from the first passes, with a constant pressure by Porsche and the high temperatures of climate and asphalt. Without making mistakes despite nightfall, Davide and James switched each other, holding up the pace and giving Ferrari and AF Corse a new podium, ending a sensational weekend for the colours of Maranello. “We are very happy for this new podium that led us go one step further in standings“, Davide Rigon said, coming back from Bahrain. Thanks to his third place, he adds a further 15 points, entering the Top Six of the best drivers ever in GT category. “We were very pleased with the time marked in Qualifying, as we had decided to focus on Hard tyres. In race then we fought constantly with Porsche, our main opponents. After losing a few positions at the start to set our tyre’s temperature, I was able to recover and race with great chronometric results on track“, Davide continues. “In the first stint, safety car entry costed us a bit of time. However, podium is always a great satisfaction, especially since we are talking about the most important stage“.

Double joy at AF Corse that celebrated not only Team title, but also Drivers’ title with the more experienced colleagues, Bruni and Vilander. “It was a sensational weekend for all of us in team. As AF, we won the Team title, while Gimmi and Toni won the Drivers’ title“. For the team from Piacenza, it is the third title in three seasons. At this point, in order that the season will be memorable, Ferrari has now to gain Constructors’ title, a mission that it must attempt to complete during the last race of the season, scheduled in two weeks Interlagos in Brazil. “In fifteen days we will be back on track in São Paulo for the final round. My goal is to give Ferrari the Constructors’ title“, the driver Venetian concludes. With these new results, Maranello team has further strengthened its leading position with 261 points.

“I’m very happy for the great weekend of Davide. Just a bit of luck in race has missed. Probably, the second place was within his reach. A really positive weekend ends, thanks to Bruni and Vilander’s winning of Drivers’ Championship and Team Title of AF Corse“, the manager Giovanni Minardi says. “Now, we miss only the last piece, the most important one: the Constructors’ Title with Ferrari. We hope to take it home in the last round, in Brazil. In the second half of the season, racing on tracks already known, we made a big step forward. Standings at hand, unfortunately, we miss the important points of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Davide could have fought for podium“, Minardi concludes.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon on the hunt for another great result at the 6 Hours of Bahrain

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Being confident of the podiums won in the last two rounds at Fuji and Shanghai, that add to the third place of the beginning of the season at Spa-Francorchamps, Davide Rigon, paired with Calado, is ready to return at the wheel of the Ferrari 458GTE-Pro #71 of AF Corse team, in the seventh and penultimate round of the World Endurance Championship at Sakhir circuit, for the 6 Hours of Bahrain.

Once again, Davide will treasure his experience that gained last season, when he ended his first experience in the World Championship with a considerable second place, decisive for winning the Team title for the 8Star Motorsport and the Constructors title for Ferrari. The 5,412 meters of track, built on the suburbs of Bahrain’s Manama capital, bring back memories in the 27-year-old driver’s mind. In addition to second place of last season, in 2009 he won a great podium in GP2. “It‘s a track that I always liked, where I collected important results, both in open-wheels and GT cars. We arrive to this appointment after the second place at Fuji and third place at Shanghai. Both my team-mate and I and the all AF team, we are ready to go on the hunt for a new positive result for Ferrari “, Davide Rigon says, flying to the capital of Bahrain. “We are preparing to spend the last two rounds on two tracks (Bahrain and Interlagos), which should be better adapted to the characteristics of our 458“, the Venetian driver says. “It will be a hard race, for both the high temperatures that’ll be reached inside the car, and because we will start with the sun and end up at night.”

Therefore, Ferrari’s ride towards Constructors title will continue, as main purpose of Davide and AF Corse team for this season. With two more rounds on the agenda, the Prancing Horse Team leads the group ahead of Porsche and Aston Martin, with Davide and Calado in seventh place in standings.

Kart – Alberto Tonti and Paolo De Conto go their separate ways

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From July, after six years of great successes together, Paolo De Conto and Alberto Tonti go their separate ways.

“I wish Paolo all the best in the world of karting and Motorsport. We have decided to stop our professional partnership because of disagreements on technical choices. There is beginning and end. I wish great good luck to Paolo, with whom I shared a lot of moments of joy and glory. Six years certainly cannot be deleted”, Alberto Tonti says.

F.4 – Victory and second place for Joao Vieira in the Adria Winter Trophy

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There could be no better end of the season for Joao Vieira, who waves the Brazilian flag with the national green-gold anthem at the Adria International Raceway, thanks to his success in race-2, after winning the podium with a great second place in the first race.

The 16-year-old Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport ends with a win, a second place and the title of vice-champion in the Adria Winter Trophy, his first European season in open-wheels, a well-deserved result, after a year of strong growing in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth.

Back on the circuit where he opened his adventure in the Tricolor series, Joao has taken advantage of all the experience gained in a little more of four months, being protagonist of excellent overtakings and closing Rovigo’s weekend with the second place – for just a single point -. “I’m very satisfied for what gained by Joao this weekend. A second place and, especially, the victory that we’ve missed in the Italian F.4”, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes. “He has been the author of amazing overtakings, both in race-1 and race-2. Unfortunately, we missed the pole, that he could give us the victory of this Trophy. Apart from this, Adria weekend is the consecration of what showed in championship. A week before championship, we started from scratch, without knowing car and tracks, and four months later we got the victory“, Minardi concludes. “This was his first season in an open-wheel, coming directly from karting, and growth after each race is the most important signal of the value of this guy”.

“At last. Finally, there’s the win, that I’ve so long chased. I’m really happy for how the weekend went at Adria. Ending the season with a second place, a win and the title of vice-champion is absolutely not bad”, Joao Vieira says, smiling. “The Italian F.4 Championship was really challenging and allowed me to grow and learn a lot. I’ll certainly take advantage of this experience next year”. Now, Joao leaves Italy a few days and moves to Brazil, before leaving for Las Vegas. “I’ll go a few days in Brazil, at home, and then, prepare the Supernationals kart race, scheduled for next November 23rd”, the diver of Minardi Management concludes.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon on podium also for the 6 Hours of Shanghai

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After the excellent second place at Fuji three weeks ago, Davide Rigon, paired with James Calado, wins again the podium, thanks to third place at 6 Hours of Shanghai, the sixth round of the FIA World Endurance Championship season.

With this valuable result, the 27-year-old Venetian driver confirms his feeling with China, which gave him his first victory in the World Championship just a year ago, and with his Ferrari 458 GTE-Pro #71 prepared by AF Corse Team. As planned, after giving something in Qualifying, the car of Maranello has recovered the gap, allowing the young pair Rigon/Calado to win the third podium of the season. “I’m really happy with this podium. I thank the team, because they did a great job in pits. Here in Shanghai we had a demanding race till the end and we tried to do our best“, Davide Rigon says.

There’s regret for what happened to the team-mates Brini-Vilander, forced to retirement a few laps before the green light. At the 10th bend of Shanghai International Circuit, the Ferrari number 51 of AF Corse team, led at that time by “Gimmi” Bruni, was involved in an accident with the LMP2 prototype car of KCMG Team, which had stopped because of a problem technical, fortunately without any consequences for the two drivers. It was really hard for “Gimmi” Bruni to avoid the contact, because the prototype was right on his own trajectory. “I’m really sorry for what happened to our team-mates“, the driver of Minardi Management continues.

With this new podium, Davide continues rising in ranking of his category, adding further fifteen points to his personal reward, that earn him the seventh place in world championship, maintaining Ferrari in the running for winning the constructors’ title in top races competition for GT cars. The “Prancing Horse” team leads the group with still other 2 appointments on the calendar for the month of November. “Keep it up. There are still two important appointments on the calendar“, Rigon concludes, “which, on paper, should be favorable to the characteristics of our car“.

“Another relevant result for Davide. As already happened three weeks ago in Japan, coming to race on tracks that are already known, he’s able to express 100% of his potential. This will be useful especially for the final part of the world championship. We must not forget that our main objective and task is to bring the Constructors’ title to Ferrari“, the manager Giovanni Minardi says. “I’m sorry for what happened to Gimmi and Toni, but I’m certain that in Brazil they’ll already be able to recover the payback with interests“.

Next 15th of November, it’s going to race in Bahrain, while the 30th of November, it’ll be the turn of Sao Paulo, in Brazil, for the last act of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Joao Vieira attends the Adria Winter Trophy

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Three weeks after the last appointment of Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, Joao Vieira is ready to get back at the wheel of his Tatuus #28, for the 2014 Winter Trophy  in the Adria International Raceway circuit.

For Joao, this is a return on the track of Rovigo: in June, the 2,702 meters have been for the 16-year-old Brazilian driver the scene of the first weekend of competition at the European and at the wheel of an open-wheel. The race will be the closing party of a growing season, which led him to fight quickly with the first of the class, gaining podiums and important points over seven rounds on the calendar. In these four months, the driver followed by Minardi Management has risen steeply in the starting grid, even touching pole-position and victory on several occasions. “Unfortunately, only the victory missed. It would be just the cherry on top. This weekend, however, is back on track“, Joao says satisfied. “I close the season at Adria, just where four months ago I started this fantastic adventure. It will be the last event of the season at the wheel of an open-wheel, waiting to define 2015 plans. On November 23rd, in fact, I’ll fly to Las Vegas for the Supernationals Kart Race”. This is competition is considered the event of the year within the American karting, and the young driver has already won it. “I’ll try to hunt the encore“.

“We got to the last appointment of the season. The Winter Trophy of Adria is also the last chance for Joao to achieve a well-deserved victory, considering the significant growth, race after race, and the great feeling achieved with the team of Marco Antonelli and the features of this category. It will also be an opportunity to enrich his showcase with a great trophy. We are preparing to store a definitely positive season. Going on this way, also next year we will be able to fight constantly for winning right from the first races, whatever the championship will be”, the manager Giovanni Minardi says.

The event will involve motor racing and karting in the same circuit, where, for the first time, karting and Formula 4 will be busy live at the same time. This year, WSK Final Cup stops in the brand-new Raceway Karting circuit of Adria. Races program focuse on the two days of Saturday and Sunday, November 1st and 2nd, after the series of free practice tests, that are scheduled on Friday, October 31st. Each of the two days includes warm-up and Qualifying in the morning, followed by the race in the afternoon, based on the usual 28’ plus one lap. The new open-wheel will be the queen of a weekend that, together with 500 Abarth Trophy, will also host Touring and GT races, classified as Adria Trophy, and F.2 races of the Italian Trophy.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon flies to Shanghai, scene of the first victory in World Championship

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Being confident of the one-two won in Japan, along with team-mate James Calado and AF Corse’s mates, Davide Rigon is ready to get back at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 GTE-PRO #71, for 6 Hours of Shanghai, scene of the sixth round of FIA WEC World Championship.

For Rigon, this will be a return on the 5,451 meters of the Chinese circuit (also scene of F1 World Championship), where a year ago he won the first seal in FIA World Endurance Championship, with a victory in 8Star Motorsport’s colours, on Ferrari in GTE-AM category. Thanks to that success, and other podium placements, the 27-year-old from Thiene contributed significantly to winning the titles of Team, for 8Star Motorsport, and Constructors, for Ferrari.

With the second place at 6 Hours of Fuji, Rigon and Calado raised steeply in ranking, entering the Top-10 and strengthening Ferrari’s leadership among Constructors. “I have to say that China has always brought me good luck. Last year, I celebrated the first victory in World Championship, while in 2008 I won the title in Superleague Formula, with the colours of Beijing Guoan“, Davide Rigon says, flying to the Republic of China. “The One-two and podium gave us not only awareness of working in the right direction but also great drive in view of championship’s end”. After Shanghai, FIA WEC Circus will move to Bahrain (November 15th) and Brazil (November 30th) for the grand finale.

“In Qualifying we could give up something to opponents, recovering then in race pace. Both my team-mate and I, we’re rookies in the leading class and we’re called to do our part, in order to win and confirm Ferrari’s title. We finally got to race on tracks that are already known to me, and this can be translated into an advantage. Moreover, Shanghai“, Davide concludes, “is the last less favourable track for our car”.