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2013 Sebring: ALMS Race - Risi Returning To ALMS With Renewed Vigor And Determination
North America’s most successful Ferrari GT team, Risi Competizione, is just one week away from making its competitive return to the American Le Mans Series at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in Florida.
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The Houston, Texas-based team took a year’s hiatus from the ALMS in 2012, but will once again be re-claiming the iconic ‘62’ entry number for its red Ferrari 458 Italia amid the highly competitive GT field.
While there is much within the team that will be familiar to rivals and fans, such as the marque, the color, and senior team management, there are also new faces and returning faces plus a new look and a renewed determination for success.
For Sebring, the opening round of the 10-race championship, the recently announced full-season pairing of Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli will be partnered by Gianmaria Bruni. The Italian, who won the Florida classic in 2010 with Risi Competizione and has claimed GTE pole position at Sebring for the last two years, is passionate about racing in the USA and is enthusiastic about joining the vastly-experienced team again.
Team Principal, Giuseppe Risi, is buoyant about being back at the track, but is all too aware of the challenges ahead. "Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Porsche and Viper: these are all names which have an association with prestige and success - just as Risi Competizione and Ferrari has. The GT category certainly hasn’t got any easier since we’ve been away, but we are at our best when challenged hard and we are better prepared than ever before.
"We don’t underestimate the task ahead," continued Risi, "but we’re confident we’ve got all the elements in place to be able to fight at the front. We’ve made considerable changes in the way the team is run, and to our crew, and I feel sure that, to the onlooker, there’s won’t be a single indication that we weren’t racing with everyone else last year.
"Of course, in a long race like this, you always need that little bit of luck on your side too. In Olivier, Matteo and Gianmaria, we have a hugely experienced and talented driver line up and I know they will all want to put Risi back where it belongs, in the winner’s circle."
Risi will have for 2013 a new F458 Italia which Bruni, among other Ferrari factory drivers, has been testing and developing over the winter. The most noticeable change comes in the front-end, which now sees a cut-out section in the middle of the splitter. Other developments include new dive planes at the front and rear of the car, revised front louvers and relocated brake ducts.
"Ferrari and Michelotto did quite a bit of aerodynamic and track testing," Risi Competizione chief technical director Rick Mayer explained. "Gimmi Bruni, who did a lot of the testing, thought it was a very positive improvement."
Risi Competizione has enjoyed spectacular success at the Twelve Hours of Sebring in the past, including the legendary 2007 GT2 class finish which saw Risi win by just 0.202 seconds on the last turn of the final lap. Last on the top step of the podium in 2010, everyone within the Risi team recognizes the special significance of the 2013 event - the final time that the American Le Mans Series’ competitors will race at Sebring before the series merges with Grand Am.
The 41-strong field will feature 12 prototypes which mean that the drivers of the 12 GT entries will have to spend as much time looking in their rear-view mirrors for fast-approaching LMP cars as they do looking ahead for their next over-taking opportunity.
What is certain is that the class result will be as unpredictable as ever before, and that Risi aims to be a key part of the action from flag to flag.
RISI COMPETIZIONE DRIVER QUOTES AND DETAILS:
Gianmaria Bruni:
Nationality: Italian
Birthdate: May 30, 1981
Residence: Monaco
Sebring starts: 4 (2008, 2010, 2011, 2012)
Notes: After a very successful single-seater career, switched allegiance to sportscars in 2007, runner up in FIA GT Championship. Winner of 24 Hrs Le Mans in 08 with Risi and 12 with AF Corse, and FIA GT(2) Champion with AF Corse. Winner 12H Sebring in 2010, 2011 ILMC GTE Champion and 2012 FIA WEC GTE Champion.
Gianmaria Bruni (on his favourite Sebring race, so far): "My favourite race was for sure in 2010 when I won with Risi Competizione. I have always loved the Sebring event and I have now done it for a few years. Last year maybe left the worst memory because it was a very tough race due to problems with our (AF Corse) car."
(On the very strong GT field expected): "I hope the Ferrari 458 will live up to expectations this year, as it has done in the past. Our testing sessions over the winter were good and now we have to wait for the first race to see whether the other GT competitors have hidden anything!"
Olivier Beretta:
Nationality: Monegasque
Birthdate: November 23, 1969
Residence: Monaco
Sebring starts: 12
Notes: Five-time ALMS GTS/GT1 champion, six class wins in 24 Hours of Le
Mans, holds ALMS records for most career wins (41) and most career poles (23),
two FIA GT Championship titles, overall victory in 2000 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Olivier Beretta (on his favorite Sebring race, so far): "My favorite race was last year as it was so competitive for the whole 12 hours. It was a big field as it was the FIA WEC combined with the ALMS, so to win that one was a really great feeling."
(On the final ALMS 12 Hours of Sebring and The Future): "I believe the ALMS has always been a great Championship in perpetual evolution, and The Future will be even better as the new series will gather more fans and will be even more attractive to competitors."
Matteo Malucelli:
Nationality: Italian
Birthdate: October 27, 1984
Residence: Forli, Italy
Sebring starts: 2013 will be his race debut
Notes: A former Ferrari Challenge Champion, made his debut in GT racing in 2004 with BMS Scuderia Italia. Twice runner up at 24H Le Mans in GT category, experience in European racing will stand him in good stead at Sebring.
Matteo Malucelli (on making his ALMS debut at Sebring): "For me the 12 hours is one of the most important race of the season. There will be a lot of extra competitors because this is the first important international GT race in 2013 so all the teams want to know how they measure up to their rivals."
(On how the F458 will compare to its rivals): "I think we have a fast and consistent car, a very good team and also fantastic driver line up. How we will compare?…we will talk about that at the end of the race!"
PaddockTalk Perspective
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