Fisichella and Vilander at Risi in ALMS

Already hotly contested, the GT2 category of the American Le Mans Series will welcome a new crew contending for victory in Utah on July 11. Winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring with the duo Jaime Melo – Gianmaria Bruni last March, the Risi Competizione team decided to field a second car for the fourth round of the season. This Ferrari F430 GTC will be entrusted to Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander. At 37, the reservist pilot of the Team Ferrari and F1 and resident of the AF Corse team in the Le Mans Series, will discover the specificities of the American circuits. His Finnish teammate, double FIA ​​GT2 champion, has already been to the ALMS, taking part in two events in 2006, already on behalf of Risi Competizione.

“We are looking forward to welcoming Giancarlo to the Risi Competizione team, and introducing him to American motorsport, says Giuseppe Risi, team principal. Since the last appearance of Toni (Vilander, editor's note) with us, the level of competition has greatly increased, but I am convinced that two drivers as professional as them will not take long to get used to this environment. For the moment, it is planned that these drivers will only be with us for this race.”

This contribution will not be too much for the Risi Competizione, which, despite the success of Sebring, must face increasingly keen competition. During the last two rounds, at Long Beach then at Laguna Seca, the American team failed to bring its only model entered into the top three in the category, leaving Porche to triumph, and BMW and Corvette to complete the podiums. .

Until then, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander will take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, on June 12 and 13, an event where they will aim for victory at the wheel of the Ferrari AF Corse which they will share with Frenchman Jean Alesi.

Don't miss our 24 2010 Hours of Le Mans Guide, currently on newsstands, so you don't miss anything from the 78th edition of the Le Mans classic.