THOMAS BALDASSARRI: «THERE’S NO DRIVER WHO INSPIRED ME, I AM MY OWN BENCHMARK»

Thomas Baldassarri, born in 2008 in Lugo di Romagna, comes from a good season in the MINI Challenge championship. Let’s find out more about him ahead of his second season in the category, where he will fight again for the Italian championship.

You began racing at the age of 4. How did your encounter with the go-kart happen?
«My encounter with karting was initially born from my father’s passion, then from a request I made for my fourth birthday. That’s why he gave me a go-kart for that birthday, and from there my journey began. »

When did you understand the dream of becoming a driver could become reality?
«I understood the dream of becoming a driver could become reality when I realized the ever-growing passion, I had for this and, above all, for the first results I achieved».

Who were your benchmark drivers during your career?
«Honestly, there has never really been a driver who inspired me, because I believe every driver has an individual way of thinking and acting, so we can certainly say that my true benchmark driver is me».

You’ve been racing MINIs since 2024. What are the driving characteristics developed by this race car?
«The car I raced this year, the MINI John Cooper Works, is a very versatile car that has excellent speed both on the straights and in the corners. It’s also one of the few race cars to have front-wheel drive, which is a game-changer. Last but not least, the H gearbox, or the road gearbox, which is undoubtedly the most difficult to use».

What trophy are you most proud of?
«For now, the trophy I look at with greatest pride is the victory of the Italian go-kart championship race at Siena».

How do you feel racing in the same circuits as Formula 1?
«It’s very exciting to drive on the same tracks as Formula 1 drivers, because while you’re racing there, you think about some of the best drivers in the world have raced on that circuit».

What car, from the past or present, would you choose for a day of testing in Imola?
«If I really could choose a car for a day of testing, I would undoubtedly choose the Ferrari 488 GT3».

What are your interests outside the track?
«Outside the track, I do my duty as a young science high school student, but in my free time I love to approach the world of video games, and also collecting some rare pieces».

What’s your next dream to fulfil?
«The next dream to fulfil is obviously to win the championship that I will contest this year».

Author: Jacopo Rava