F.4 – Joao Vieira at work in Vallelunga and Magione

/in /by

With the memory of the podium at Mugello very much alive, Joao Vieira is ready to return to the wheel of his Tatuus #28 for two days of tests on the tracks of Vallelunga (Tuesday, July 22nd) and Magione (Wednesday, July 23rd).

For the 16-year-old Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport, it will be the first time both at the “Piero Taruffi” and “Autodromo dell’Umbria” Circuits, that will be the theatre of the next two (out of seven) appointments of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth, now entering into the “hot” part of the season.

Joao is ready for the second part of the season, continuing the hard work at the Driver Program Center of Forlì and galvanized by the important result achieved in Tuscany, crowned by the podium finish in Race-3 that launched him in the Top Eight of the overall standings, with the same points of his team-mate and friend Matteo Cairoli.

“Thanks to these days of tests I will have the chance to discover the next two circuits of race, Vallelunga and Magione. For me, every track is a discovery and challenge. Thanks to the simulator of the Driver Program Center, I had the chance to try the layout of the ‘Piero Taruffi’ and the first impressions are really good, similarly to what happened with Mugello. It would be great to repeat the result, with another podium. At each session, I take more and more confidence with the car and this helps me to get closer to the limit”, the pilot of Minardi Management says.

“After the good work at Mugello, it’s now time to get to know two other circuits in the Championship calendar. For Joao, these will be two days of apprenticeship ahead of the weekend of race, since he doesn’t know the tracks. I hope he will like them as much as Mugello, as the results have demonstrated”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

F.4 – Mugello on the podium for Joao Vieira

/in /by

The selective circuit of Mugello (Tuscany, Italy) has highlighted all the technical qualities of Joao Vieira who, at the third round of the Italian F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth, won his first podium.

The third place is the icing on the cake of a good weekend which has blown away the disappointment of fifteen days ago at Imola, scoring an excellent hat-trick with three finishes in the points-zone in as many races, for a total of 32 points.

After conquering the third row in the two rounds of Qualifying on Saturday morning, respectively with the fifth and sixth fastest time, the 16-year-old Brazilian driver from Gurupi scored points in the first two races, thanks to an excellent fifth place in Race-1 and a seventh place in the sprint race. The greatest satisfaction came right at the last race with an attacking attitude, that from the fourteenth position led him to conquer the third step of the podium (which means also the first podium of the season). “I’m really happy both for the first podium and for the weekend. Since the first times on the track, in the tests of the past weeks, I’ve liked it very much, because it’s very fast and technical. Therefore very suitable to my style of driving. I must also thank all the staff of Antonelli Motorsport – they are really very good – as well as the trainers of the Driver Program Center. This podium has to be just the beginning”, Joao Vieira comments.

“I’m really satisfied. During the test, I was immediately impressed and this podium is the confirmation of the good technical and speed qualities of Joao. The Mugello is a challenging track and he was very good at not making any mistakes. In Race-3, despite a non-perfect start, he recovered several positions until he conquered of the podium. A result that boosts the morale for the second half of the season”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

Thanks to these precious results, Joao incredibly improves his position in the overall ranking, entering fiercely into the Top-Eight with 33 points.

Joao Vieira at Mugello, to leave Imola behind

/in /by

It’s already the time for the third round of the Italian F.4 Championship Powered by Abarth. After the difficult weekend at Imola, Joao Vieira has the chance to turn the tables on the demanding Mugello circuit, where a few weeks ago he surprised everyone by scoring from the first steps excellent lap times, reaching the top of the rankings.

The 16-year-old Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport will have the opportunity to show his skills on the demanding layout of the international track in Tuscany, whose major marks are the “San Donato” corner, the “Casanova-Savelli” – a descending right-left chicane – and “The two Angry” (in Italian, “Le due Arrabbiate”), which enhance his driving style

After the points scored in the opening race at Adria, Joao will try to add a new useful result to his palmares. “I’m really happy to be able to return immediately to drive. Imola was a weekend of apprenticeship. Now I want to try an immediate ransom, building on the work done in the last few weeks of tests right here, on the hills of Scarperia. It’s a challenging and technical circuit that is well suited to my driving style. A podium would be the best result”, Joao Vieira comments.

“I’m glad Joao can be immediately back at the wheel of his car, in order to leave behind the week-end at Imola. Given the good performance during the tests a few weeks ago, I hope that the Mugello will be the theatre of a good result for him, even though races are always different to tests. I am very confident, given also the important work that he’s carrying out with the Driver Program”, the manager Giovanni Minardi comments.

The curtains will rise on the Mugello Circuit on Friday 11th July with the three free practice sessions, in preparation for Qualifying on Saturday 12th (9.00 and 9.25 am), which will determine the starting grid of the two rounds of the race (28’ + 1 Lap), starting on Saturday at 3.35 pm and Sunday at 5.10 pm. In the middle, starting at 9.00 am, the sprint race (18’ + 1 Lap).

F.4 – A weekend of apprenticeship for Joao Vieira in Imola

/in /by

It was a bitter-sweet weekend for Joao Vieira in Imola, where the second round of the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth took place.

The Brazilian driver of Antonelli Motorsport was back at the wheel of the #28 Tatuus at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari Circuit, willing to improve the result of the inaugural race in Adria, but he left the challenging track empty-handed. The premises to score another useful result were all in place, given what he had done in free practice and qualifying, managing to bring his car in the upper side of ranking. Unfortunately, the lack of experience with the car and with the 4.936 meters of the track have left him out of the score-zone, giving him, however, the chance to drive more miles.

“Imola was a weekend of apprenticeship. It’s a really challenging track. Some corners do not forgive the slightest mistake. For me it was the first time, having tried it only once in the simulator. We are only at the second appointment and I have accumulated miles and experience that will definitely be useful already at Mugello, in fifteen days”, Joao Vieira comments. “Now I will continue training at the Driver Program Center”.

“It’s has been a weekend of bas luck for Joao, even if the premises were good. He committed several mistakes, because of his inexperience, but I’m sure that he will hold them for the next round at Mugello, a very technical track that suits his driving style. I just regret that he missed a good result both in race-2, when he drove faster than in qualifying, and in race-3”, the manager Giovanni Minardi analyzes.

Le Mans – Davide Rigon: "A dream faded too soon"

/in /by

A 24H of Le Mans with two sides for Davide Rigon. While there is great satisfaction for the triumph of the AF Corse team with the #51 twin car of the friends Bruni, Fisichella and Villander, on the other side there’s the regret for having seen the dream fading after only a few hours of race.

After the terrible accident in qualifying of Calado, the mens in red of Amato Ferrari had succeeded in the miracle of rebuilding the Ferrari 458 just in time for the final warm-up on Saturday morning, managing to get quickly a new shell. Unfortunately, this major effort was vanished a few hours after the start, when Davide was betrayed by a technical problem, forcing him to a definitive retirement from the race. “It has been a cold shower”, Davide Rigon – disconsolate – says. “I have to congratulate all the staff of AFCorse and Ferrari. The guys have did a miracle. They practically rebuilt the whole machine working nonstop at night, allowing us to get back on track for the warm-up. Unfortunately, the dream lasted only a few hours. A real shame”.
The premises were good. Before retiring, the #71 Ferrari was recovering. “Our pace was really good. I was regaining different positions, and when it started to rain, we guessed the strategy”, continues the driver from Vicenza (Italy). “The premises were good, but races are races. Now I just want to wish a big good luck for a speedy recovery to James”. After the terrible accident, the British driver was taken to the hospital where he was diagnosed a cerebral edema.

“Now I want to leave behind this disappointment quickly and think about the next challenge in Austin, with the goal of returning to Le Mans next year ready for a redeem”. The appointment with FIA WEC is therefore set for September 20th, with the fourth round at the Circuit of the Americas.

FIA WEC – Davide Rigon: "24 Hours of Le Mans, a dream coming true"

/in /by

This weekend the spotlight will turn on the 82nd Edition of the 24 Heures du Mans, the most important and eagerly-awaited race in the Endurance panorama, and not only.
Among more than 160 riders, there will also be Davide Rigon, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 GTE #71 of AF Corse Team, making his debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in pair with James Calado and Oliver Beretta. “A dream coming true. All drivers wish to run the 24H of Le Mans at least once”, the 27-year-old driver from Veneto (Italy) says.

For Davide, it will be the fourth 24H race, but the first time at Le Mans, after the races of 2008-2012-2013 alongside the amazing ups and downs of Spa-Francorchamps, with the success at the first chance at Ferrari, in the FIA World GT. “The fact I already have an experience in 24H races will be an advantage. I already know what to expect and how to measure forces, although Le Mans remains a unique race. Both for me and my team-mate James this will be the debut, but we have worked hard in these weeks to get prepared. Sharing the box with Fisichella-Bruni-Villander is certainly very stimulating”, the driver of Maranello continues.

During the collective test of the beginning of this month, Davide has begun to become familiar with French track, long more than 13 Km. “I’ve never driven on a circuit where a complete lap takes nearly 4 minutes. It’s really something crazy. I’ve had the opportunity to study the circuit through the simulator and some videos, but actually driving it is something sensational. You have to keep the concentration level very high and also for a long time, and I’ve been working hard on this with my trainer. There will be the opportunity to do three consecutive hours of race and I want to be prepared”.
The 24 Hours will also be the third round of the FIA WEC and crew #71 will arrive at the start on the strength of the fifth position. “The evaluation so far is certainly positive. Now we have several kilometres behind and several hours of driving at the wheel of Ferrari. Both my team-mate and I are young drivers, with a great desire to learn and to get noticed. Thanks to AF Corse and Ferrari we have everything on hand to make it right”, the driver of Minardi Management concludes.

Curtains will be risen already on Wednesday night at 10 pm with the first of three qualifying sessions, which will conclude on Thursday 12 June, giving way to warm-up on Saturday (9.00 am) before the official start, with Fernando Alonso ready to wave the French flag at 3 pm.

Points and Top Ten for Joao Vieira at Adria in the Italian F.4 Championship powered by Abarth

/in /by

At the Adria International Raceway, the 16 year-old Brazilian driver Joao Vieira has closed the first race of the Italian Championship F.4 powered by Abarth, the new championship strongly wanted by FIA and brought on track by ACI.

Coming from the world of Kart, at his debut at the wheel of F4 Tatuus T014 motorized Abarth 160 Hp, the young Brazilian of Antonelli Motorsport has ended the first of the seven appointments finishing in Top Ten and scoring the first point of the season.

In a line-up consisting of 22 open-wheel cars, Joao defended himself by closing the two qualifications in the first five rows, respectively with the eighth and ninth fastest lap. The greatest satisfaction came in the second of the three races, when he brought his #28 to ninth place, scoring the best result among the Antonelli’s boys, after being forced to recover in Race 1 for a not perfect start. It was a weekend of apprentice: at the Enzo e Dino Ferrari circuit of Imola, where the next race is scheduled for June 29th, he will be able to put into practice the experience gained.

“I am very pleased with the weekend of Joao. Given the lack of experience, it was a very good weekend. He has made a big leap in quality since the last day of testing, done just in Adria, but unfortunately we paid some electrical problems that caused a lost in power to the engine. Diversely, in Race 3 we could have scored a very good result, considering that before the retirement from the race we were in seventh position, going as fast as the group before us. However, again, a nice weekend and in constant improvement, which bodes well for the next round at Imola, even if we talk about a much harder track which he doesn’t know”, Giovanni Minardi comments.

Davide Rigon: "Waiting for Le Mans"

/in /by

In a little more than two weeks the spotlight will turn on the most prestigious competition in the Endurance landscape, the 24 Hours of Le Mans: among the 168 pilots, there will be also Davide Rigon, in pair with Calado and Olivier Beretta, at the wheel of the Ferrari 458 AF Corse. The talented driver from Veneto (Italy) arrives to the appointment which is worth a season, on the strength of the podium at Spa-Francorchamps and of fifth place obtained in the opening race at Silverstone, which launched the crew #71 at fifth place in classification. “The evaluation so far is certainly positive. At Silverstone we collected less than deserved, while at Spa everything went great. The maximum would have been the second place”, Davide Rigon comments. “Now we have several kilometres behind and begin to be very familiar with the car and the team, with whom there’s a great feeling”.

Along with Bruni and Vilander, you have made Ferrari and AF Corse the leaders in their respective classifications. What are your goals?

The main objective is to bring Ferrari to success among the Constructors and then, in succession, to achieve the titles for teams and drivers, thus trying to repeat the three of last year. We’ll try to win the Drivers’ Championship, even though we are rookies. For James this is the first experience in GT, while for me it’s their first season as official driver. Last year, thanks to 8Star Team, I had the chance to get to know the championship, but now I feel much the weight of responsibility. Thanks to AF Corse and Ferrari we have everything on hand to make it right. We are professionals and we have to give the 100%.

What about your relationship with the other Ferrari drivers?

There is a great team spirit and we work very well together, also sharing the data. Gimmi and Vilander are two champions with an extensive experience: I can learn a lot from them. We have a great engineer with whom we feel very well: we build the car in order to suit our needs.

After Silverstone and Spa, now it’s time for the 24H of Le Mans.

It’s the most important race of the year and one of the finest in history. All drivers wish to run the 24H of Le Mans at least once, for its charm and importance. Perhaps it is worth more than a win in Monte Carlo. For me it will be the first time and I cannot wait.

What are your goals?

The objectives are clear. We have to run for the podium, if not for the victory. We know that it will be very tough – especially for us, considering that we are at the debut – although on our side we can count on Olivier Beretta, who can already claim a victory. We are ready to challenge ourselves: we have already analyzed and studied different strategies and we’ll have an important reference with our fellows Fisichella-Bruni-Vilander, who know this race very well. We’ll try to keep their pace in the race.

Have you already had the chance to get to know the track?

I will experiment the track for the first time in the official tests before the race. As far as now, I’ve had the opportunity to study the circuit through the simulator and some videos. It’s a very long track: I’ve never driven on a circuit where a complete lap takes nearly 4 minutes.

It will be the first time at Le Mans for you, but the fourth in a 24H race, with the 2008 success in FIA GT.

I have already run three times a 24H, although all of them on the track of Spa-Francorchamps. In 2008 I won at the debut in the FIA World GT with the Ferrari of Scuderia Italia, while in Blancpain Endurance Series I had to retire both times, including last year in the last hour of the race, due to an engine failure. I know what it means not sleeping at night. It’s a really tough race where we should not leave anything to the rivals.

What kind of physical preparation is required for this kind of race?

This year, with my trainer Emiliano Maraldi of the Driver Program Center of Forlì, we are working primarily on floor exercises with aerobic workouts and on reflexes, continuing with the program of last year. In terms of physical strength, endurance races are less demanding than Formula ones, while they require a greater resistance to heat and to extended “suffering”. Especially in the 24H I’ll have to stay several hours in the car, with stints of even three hours. For this reason, I don’t want to arrive unprepared to this important appointment.

Davide Rigon: "A podium which looks ahead to Le Mans"

/in /by

“A podium is always great, but if you get there driving a Ferrari, during a World Championship race and on Spa circuit, then it becomes special and unique”: these are the first words of Davide Rigon, back from third place at finish in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, stage of the second round of the FIA WEC.

At the wheel of Ferrari 458 GTE, the talented driver from Veneto (Italy) has realized a great comeback, conquering the third step of the podium, assisted by teammate James Calado and by the excellent pit stop performed by the men of AF Corse, after a qualification below expectations. He drove in the first and third hour, with a double final stint, for a total of four hours at the wheel of the red #71 of Maranello.

“Unfortunately qualifying did not go as we wanted to, especially regarding the times of free practice. In the race, on dry conditions, I drove fast since the start, trying to attack Porsche, advantaged in straights and fast corners”, Davide Rigon comments. “Both James and I kept a great pace, that allowed us to catch up to the podium. It was a very competitive race – one of the kind I like most – and I have to congratulate all our mechanics for the fantastic pit stops. Every time we were able to nibble away something at our rivals”, David continues.


A podium that is good for the spirit in view of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and that represents a good close-up for the great weekend of Amato Ferrari Team. “Le Mans is a race that is worth a whole season. My double stint on the final was also a test in view of the 24H, both for me and for the tires”.

With the third place, Rigon and Calado climb the standings arriving in fifth place, with 25 points and a gap of only two points from the Top 3, contributing decisively to bring Ferrari to the first position in the LMGTE Manufacturer’s World Cup.

Davide Rigon, from Silverstone to Spa-Francorchamps

/in /by

Six hundred and forty Kilometres separate Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, location of the second round of FIA World Endurance Championship. Fifteen days after the inaugural race on the British historical circuit and the first point scored, Davide Rigon is ready to return on Ferrari 458 GTE #71 and continue his adventure in the World Championship alongside AF Corse.

Strengthened by the fifth place and by a weekend with no mistakes, despite the rain that has influenced the final result, the talented driver from Veneto is determined to improve its ranking by focusing firmly on the podium. “The weekend at Silverstone was positive, even if we were expecting something more in terms of final result”, Davide Rigon comments. “In qualifications we missed the top 3 for a tenth – the best result we could point to – contenting ourselves, however, with a good fourth place. In the race, both my teammate and I have not committed any mistake, despite the difficult conditions dictated by the rain, which came during the race. In hindsight we delayed the pit-stop too much, bringing this gap with us until the end of the sixth hour of race”, Davide continues. “Coming from two successful seasons, Ferrari has suffered the balance against Porsche”.

The mind has already turned to the next challenge and the Ardennes circuit should be more favorable for the car of Maranello, especially in dry conditions, although Spa is famous for its unpredictable weather, and not only for its charm. “The track is absolutely fantastic and racing here is always exciting. The ups and downs and the curves give you an adrenaline rush like no other track. Compared to Silverstone, Ferrari should be favoured, even if we suffer a bit in wet conditions”, the driver from Veneto concludes.

The weekend will unroll from Friday, with two free practice sessions and Qualifying, which will determine the starting grid for the 6-hour race scheduled on Saturday, May 3 from 2.30 pm onwards.

Four aces for Bhai Tech in Blancpain Sprint Series

/in /by

New year, new challenge. After dominating the scene of International GT Open, achieving the Team and Pilots titles with Giorgio Pantano, for Bhai Tech Team it’s now time for a new and exciting challenge in Blancpain Sprint Series.

Eleven teams and forty pilots are participating to this championship: the Racing division of the Bhai Tech Advanced Vehicle Science Centre (based in Mestrino, Padova – Italy) will be this weekend on the starting grid of Nogaro (France) with its McLaren MP4-12C GT3 and a new group of drivers with high experience.

Together with the champion Giorgio Pantano, for the second season at Bhai Tech Team, we’ll see the young GP2 driver Fabio Onidi (from Milan, born in 1988) – for a completely Italian pair – whereas the second car will be put into the hands of two young talents: Sten Pentus from Estonia – born in 1981, with a past experience in WSR 3.5 – and the 22-year-old British driver Daniel Lloyd, ready to take the next big step into the international scene.

“After the success of last season, this year we intend to perform an even more competitive championship, with top-level drivers and teams”, Giorgio Pantano comments. “Last year I took the necessary steps with McLaren MP4-12C and with the GT world, and I won the title. We are back to aim high and, from free practice, I’ll do my best to realize all the work done in 2013”, the young talented driver from Veneto goes on, introducing also the new teammate Onidi. “Fabio is a very fast driver and I’m really happy to share the McLaren cockpit with him. Together we make an amazing pair”, the ex-F1 pilot concludes.

The goals have been defined: Bhai Tech Team will try to repeat the successes of last season, in a championship made of seven races, from France to Azerbaijan, touching Great Britain (Brands Hatch), The Netherlands (Zandvoort), Slovakia (Slovakia Ring), Portugal (Algarve) and Belgium (Zolder). On a stage that will host the competition of the major constructors, the “Fantastic Four” – Pantano, Onidi, Pentus, Lloyd – are determined to bring home a new title, counting also on the cutting edge full-motion 6-DOF driving simulator, which is situated in the Bhai Tech suite.

FIA WEC, kick-off in Silverstone for Davide Rigon

/in /by

The long wait is over: this weekend the curtain will be raised on the championship par excellence of the Endurance panorama, with the first race of the FIA World Endurance Championship.

A track of 5.891 metres and a 6-hours race on the historical British circuit of Silverstone – a location of the Formula 1 World Championship since the Fifties – will be the kick-off of the sporting season of Davide Rigon, driving the three-world title winner Ferrari Italia 458 GT #71, alongside the Amato Ferrari AF Corse. His goal is to be confirmed as a top driver at a worldwide level.

After winning in Shanghai, finishing second in Bahrain and Sao Paulo and finishing fourth in Fuji with 8Star Team, this year the talented driver from Veneto (Italy) will be an official pilot of Maranello Team.

“I can’t wait to be in Silverstone and begin this new adventure. We’ve been working very well during last winter and we’re determined to start the season on the right foot. There’s no need to remark that Ferrari 458 is an amazing car. With Team Amato Ferrari the feeling has been good since the beginning, the same with James. Considering the level of the participants, this will be a very competitive season, where the difference will be made by details”, Davide Rigon comments.

In this new adventure, composed by eight races – from Great Britain to Brazil, touching Spa-Francorchamps, 24 hours of Le Mans, Austin, Fuji, Shanghai e Sakhir – the 27-year-old pilot will drive the glorious 458 GTE-Pro with James Calado, ranked third in the 2013 GP2 Series.

“I’m really happy to have Davide Rigon in the Team, after last season’s experience with 8Star Team when he conquered the whole staff both at human and professional level. Our main goal will be to repeat the successes of last year, with the Manufacturer, Team and Pilot Titles”, Team Owen Amato Ferrari comments.

The spotlight will be turned on the WEC Championship with the first round of free practice, leading to Qualifying – on Saturday 19th April at 1 pm (Italian time) – to decide the starting grid of the “6 Hours”, in program on Sunday 20th April at 1 pm (Italian time).

The Made in Italy is reviving

/in /by

The new racing season will shortly start and, besides Formula 1, even preparatory Championships are completing their driver line-up. Like it was in 2013, the new year started in a positive way for the three-coloured flag, in fact, although our country is in a recession which makes everything more complicated, we see many Italian drivers taking part in the most important Championships on an international scale.

Gimmy Bruni, Davide Rigon, Luca Ghiotto, Antonio Fuoco, Raffaele Marciello, Riccardo Agostini and Antonio Giovinazzi are only a few drivers who will try to make the national anthem play in the most important circuits in different racing series such as FIA WEC, GP2, F.3 Euroseries “Go-karting and Formulas are experiencing a rearrangement phase. As ACI-CSAI and Federal School, we’re reaping the benefits of 6/7 years of work and Italy is regaining reliability even on a political scale, thanks to the President Mr. Sticchi Damiani”, says Gian Carlo Minardi on the website www.minardi.it. “The goal is to go back to the magnificence of the ‘80s. Today we have two first drivers such as Bruni and Rigon who are ready to defend the Italian flag in the FIA WEC Championship, driving the AF Corse’s Ferrari; Raffaele Marciello will take part in the GP2 Championship alongside Racing Engineering, Luca Ghiotto is ready to take the next big step alongside Draco in the WSR 3.5 Championship and the trio Fuoco-Agostini-Giovinazzi will compete in the European F.3.”, says also the Faenza-born manager.

Italy will be the first country to carry out the Formula 4 project, which was strongly supported by FIA and FIA’s President Mr. Jean Todt. The new Formula 4 car is completely made in Italy: the chassis is made by Tatuus, the engine is supplied by FIAT, and compounds are made by PIRELLI. “We’re very proud to launch the first F.4 Championship, where a car completely made in Italy will be raced. All companies who resulted eligible to become official suppliers are Italian. Only the gearbox comes from France as will of the International Federation. The first deliveries will be made in April and collective testing is scheduled for May at the circuits of Vallelunga and Adria.” Good results come also from the number of cars reserved for the Championship “More than 20 cars have been reserved, so far and many teams who are already engaged in other Championships will join this competition. There’s a strong will to prepare young drivers for competing in different racing scenarios, that is to say both in covered-wheel and in open-wheel Championships.”

A good sign of this rebirth comes also from the FIAT Group, who returns to car racing “This is a positive sign, for sure. In the’70s – ‘80s the Turin-based automaker was very active in the world of motorsport”, ends Minardi “Drivers coming from preparatory open-wheel Championships were secured a professional racing career thanks to the FIAT’s engagement into several racing categories, which is something that the group hasn’t done over the past few years. This may help motorsport get back to the magnificence of past times.”