MATTIA BUCCI HAS SUCCESSFULLY OBTAINED HIS GT RACING DRIVER LICENSE

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At Misano, the Abruzzese driver’s accreditation for closed-wheel competitions was consummated

With the last test carried out at the “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli”, Mattia Bucci officially joined the ranks of GT racing licensed drivers thanks to obtaining his license. The Catignano ace was able to rely once again on the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo and the technical support from Best Lap, the team that owns the car.

Despite some technical issues and unpredictable weather conditions, the test day was positive, allowing Bucci to learn how to manage a car that is still new to him in such unique conditions, with intermittent rain and strong winds affecting the Ferrari’s aerodynamics.

Rino Mastronardi was at Misano as an examiner on behalf of ACI Sport. He is an Instructor at the Federal School of the Automobile Club and a driver who won the European Le Mans Series championship in 2021 with Iron Lynx and achieved a GTE-Am class podium in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the same year with the Italian team.

Mattia Bucci: “I am very happy both to have obtained the license to race with GT cars and for the results of this test, as we have experimented all of weather conditions. I am very satisfied with how we are training; now we must continue to train and push ourselves to the maximum to improve the results achieved so far. I want to thank Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, the Best Lap team, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team, and all my sponsors for their support.”

Giovanni Minardi, Minardi Management: “Even today Mattia has been good, he made no mistakes and recorded good lap times despite the bizarre weather with rain and sun. It was a very positive test enhanced by obtaining the license, which is very important to be ready for the upcoming news that I hope to announce soon. He is working very well, making progress every time he gets in the car, so we are optimistic for the season ahead.”

Rino Mastronardi, Instructor at the ACI Sport Federal School: “Today I was on the track to evaluate Mattia’s driving skills who, despite the bad weather conditions with cold and rain, did not make any mistakes. He was very skilled and fast with very good times. At the end of the day, with great pleasure, I issued him the authorization to pass to a higher level license.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

A SECOND TEST SESSION AT MISANO CIRCUIT IS SCHEDULED FOR MATTIA BUCCI WITH THE FERRARI 488 CHALLENGE EVO BY BEST LAP

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The racing driver from Abruzzo will be back at the Romagna racetrack for a new test session

The learning journey of Mattia Bucci aboard the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap racing team progresses with sails unfurled. The Catignano ace will return at “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli” for a test day with his GT car.

After a first taste happened at Vallelunga, Bucci continued his learning journey at Misano earlier this month with a very positive testing day; the racetrack tarmack will see him once again hurtling with the Pracing Horse Grand Touring.

Mattia Bucci said: “Finally i’ll be back in the car, i’m very happy and ready as always. I can’t wait to jump in the Ferrari for Misano. It will be a very crucial test and i hope to achieve the results that we’re expecting. I’m working at 360 degrees for my goals. I want to thank Giovanni Minardi and all the Minardi Management, the team Best Lap, my family, my staff, Walter Marini and his team and all my sponsors for their support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

POSITIVE SIGNALS FOR MATTIA BUCCI AFTER HIS TEST AT MISANO WITH THE FERRARI 488 CHALLENGE EVO

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The young driver’s adaptation to the world of GT competitions continues

The “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli” welcomed Mattia Bucci back after his success in the “FX Pro Series” in 2023. The racing driver from Catignano had his second day of testing on track with a Grand Touring car following Vallelunga, specifically the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo from the Best Lap team.

The solid test at the Romagna circuit saw Bucci achieve competitive and consistent lap times, a clear indication of his increasing confidence in driving his new car.

Supporting the talent from Abruzzo, in addition to the Best Lap team, was Driver Coach Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte.

Mattia Bucci: “I am very happy with the result achieved today. I have managed to improve the feeling with the car and I am very happy about it. I am sure that by continuing to work like this, we will achieve good results. I thank Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, the Best Lap team, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team and all my sponsors for their constant support.”

Giovanni Minardi, Minardi Management: “Today Mattia had a great test because, apart from the excellent times, he was consistent, but the important thing is that he did not make any kind of mistake on a such particular track like Misano. I believe we are on the right path being only his second day of testing, he set excellent times and also consistent, not far from more experienced drivers. We are on the right way to do a great job in this 2024.”

Matteo “Babalus” Santoponte, Driver Coach: “Today Mattia made a great debut here in Misano, he was very good and focused. There has been a very positive progression, what left us stunned were his very intelligent questions, aimed at improving performance. He had a great pace in the last laps having everything under control.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

DATE AND LOCATION OF MATTIA BUCCI’S TEST HAVE CHANGED: THE SCHEDULED TESTS WILL NOW TAKE PLACE ON APRIL 2ND AT MISANO

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The test, originally planned for March 28th at Mugello, was postponed to a new circuit

Mattia Bucci’s test session on the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo of the Best Lap team at Mugello was canceled due to adverse weather conditions. The debut at the Tuscan circuit has now turned into a return to the “Misano World Circuit – Marco Simoncelli” in Misano Adriatico, a track that brings back sweet memories for the young talent from Abruzzo. As per the program, Mattia will take the Prancing Horse car belonging to the Roman team onto the track.

The Misano circuit was the venue for the final round of the “FX Pro Series” of the “Formula X Italian Series” in 2023, where the ace from Catignano shone brightly with the Tatuus F4 T-014 from SG Motors. In his most recent appearance in a single-seater, Bucci achieved a third place in Race 1 and the long-awaited victory in Race 2, his first win in his very brief career in cars.

Mattia Bucci said: “I am very sorry that the Mugello test was canceled, but this has only fueled my desire to get behind the wheel. I can’t wait to get back on track to enjoy this spectacular car, especially at a circuit like Misano where I have won and where I hold special memories. I want to thank the Best Lap team for giving me this opportunity, Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, my family, my staff, my trainer Walter Marini and his team and my sponsors for their support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

MATTIA BUCCI WILL BE BACK ON TRACK WITH THE FERRARI 488 CHALLENGE EVO FROM THE BEST LAP TEAM, TEST SESSIONS ARE SCHEDULED AT THE MUGELLO CIRCUIT

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At the Tuscan circuit, the Abruzzo driver will continue his apprenticeship with a Grand Touring car

Following the test session at the “Piero Taruffi” circuit in Vallelunga, Mattia Bucci officially transitioned to GT competitions. On March 28th, the Catignano ace will be back on track for testing the Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo by Best Lap team at Mugello.

This will be Mattia’s debut at the famous Tuscan circuit, known for hosting the MotoGP continuously since 1994, as well as being part of the 2020 Formula 1 calendar with the first and only edition of the Tuscan Grand Prix. Additionally, the circuit is owned by Ferrari, the brand with which the young talent from Abruzzo is taking his first steps in closed-wheel racing.

Mattia Bucci: “I am very happy and excited to be able to drive for the first time at such an important circuit like Mugello. It will be a great challenge, but I am ready to face it and I can’t wait to get in the car. I thank Giovanni Minardi and Minardi Management, my family, the Best Lap team, my trainer Walter Marini and his team, my staff, and all my sponsors for their support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

POSITIVE BALANCE FOR MATTIA BUCCI AFTER TEST WITH THE FERRARI 488 CHALLENGE EVO BY BEST LAP AT VALLELUNGA

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The debut in GT with the Prancing Horse for the Abruzzo representative ended with smiles of satisfaction

Mattia Bucci made his track debut with the Best Lap team in a Ferrari 488 Challenge Evo, a Grand Touring car, at the “Piero Taruffi” circuit in Vallelunga. The test program for the young driver from Catignano included a first contact with the GT from Maranello, useful to understand the differences between the Formula world and closed-wheel competitions.

Despite the rain making an appearance at the Lazian circuit in the early hours of the day, the asphalt gradually dried up, helping Bucci improve his feeling with the Prancing Horse car lap after lap, thanks in particular to the materials provided by the Roman team.

The experienced Driver Coach Fulvio Ferri was following and monitoring the debut of the Catignano ace.

Mattia Bucci: “I am very happy, satisfied, and even amazed by how the test day unfolded and the result achieved. It’s a dream for me to drive a Ferrari at this age. Together with Coach Fulvio Ferri, I achieved good results. I tried to adapt my driving style to this car and I think I did it in the best way. Now it’s necessary to get back on track to get more and more used to this car in order to be as competitive as possible. I thank Giovanni Minardi and all of Minardi Management, my family, the Best Lap team and Coach Fulvio Ferri, my sponsors who always support me, my staff and my athletic trainer Walter Marini and his team.”

Fulvio Ferri, Driver Coach: “Mattia is a wonderful young man, he’s focused and has the ideal character to excel in this sport as he learns in silence and puts in the effort, implementing everything that is told to him. He is very talented because, despite never having tried closed-wheel cars given his Formula backgroud, he performed very well given his young age. He listened to me and we improved lap by lap in progression, which is fundamental. He is a driver to keep an eye on.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Office Mattia Bucci

A NEW TEST SESSION AWAITS MATTIA BUCCI AT VALLELUNGA ON THE FERRARI 488 CHALLENGE

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On March 2nd at the Laziale circuit, Bucci’s transition from formula cars to the GT world will take place.
Three total podiums and one victory: this is what Mattia Bucci has achieved in his, albeit short, career with single-seaters.
Now a new challenge awaits the Catignano ace: he will hit the track on March 2nd for a test drive on a Ferrari 488 Challenge provided by the Best Lap team, a client of the Prancing Horse.
Being able to drive a car made in Maranello is the dream of any driver and Mattia Bucci, who will drive it at 16 years of age, is no exception.

The young Abruzzese driver commented on the news: “I am very happy to start this new adventure in the GT world. I will have to adapt to a new driving style, different speeds, and a completely new car but, as I have always said, I like this kind of challenges, so I am super excited. I want to thank the Best Lap team that will take me on the track for my first GT test, it is an honor for me to drive a Ferrari; I also want to thank Giovanni Minardi and the whole Minardi Management, my family, my trainer Walter Marini and all his staff, and the sponsors for their constant support.”

Matteo Gaudieri
Press Officer Mattia Bucci

VILLORBA CORSE AND PUJATTI TOGETHER AT THE START OF THE PORSCHE CARRERA CUP 2024

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For the new season of the Italian single-brand championship, the Venetian team announces the young driver from Pordenone, who at just 16 years old makes his debut in motor racing at the wheel of the 510 horsepower 911 GT3 Cup branded Centro Porsche Treviso: “Happy with the path undertaken, confident for the future ”.

Treviso, 21 December 2023. Scuderia Villorba Corse has made official the first driver who will be the protagonist with the multi-titled Venetian team in the 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Italia at the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup fielded in partnership with the Centro Porsche Treviso. It is Nicholas Pujatti, a very young driver from Pordenone, who from his promising past in karting has prepared the big leap into car racing, in which he will be making his absolute debut.

Born in 2007, he just turned 16 last December 13th, the Friulian rookie will line up at the start together with the Treviso team with the awareness of accepting the demanding challenge in one of the most competitive championships and with one of the most iconic cars. Based on the “992” model, at the forefront of technology and capable of delivering up to 510 horsepower of maximum power, Pujatti has already tested the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup by carrying out track tests during 2023, thanks to which he was able to take the first references precisely in view of the season that will mark the beginning of his automotive career

Villorba Corse team principal Raimondo Amadio declares: “Personally and for the team, welcoming Nicholas into the team competing in the Carrera Cup Italia is a great source of motivation. With this choice we assume an important responsibility in training a driver and a boy who will be able to draw many ideas in sport and competition, also for personal growth. We will do everything possible and beyond to ensure that we can find an immediate feeling, useful for setting up a fruitful work of growth and learning to do well in a championship that is increasingly characterized by the high level of competition and professionalism, in on and off the track.”

Nicholas Pujatti continues: “I am thrilled to be able to announce my participation in 2024 in a championship at the level of the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia with the Treviso Villorba Corse team. It’s an honor for me to be able to compete with drivers of that caliber and it’s even more of an honor to drive a Porsche. I am very happy with the path we have taken to get to this point and I am confident for next year. I would like to thank everyone who made it possible for what is a dream for me to come true, all my sponsors, my manager Giovanni Minardi, my entire family (especially my brother) and my coach Gabriele Lancieri”.

Giovanni Minardi concludes: “I can’t wait to see Nicholas compete together with the other drivers, because during the tests carried out in 2023 he showed his speed from the first lap and above all his excellent learning. I am very curious and confident. The championship is very difficult, both for the powerful car and for the many expert drivers present, but I am sure that together with the Villorba Corse team we will be able to obtain good results from the first season on.”

The 2024 Carrera Cup Italia is divided into six rounds (each weekend with two races of 30 minutes + 1 lap) and after the debut in May in Misano it will visit the circuits of Imola, Mugello, again Imola and Vallelunga to end on 6 October in Monza.

Porsche CCI 2024 calendar: 11/4 Imola (official test); 5/5 Misano; 2/6 Imola; 14/7 Mugello; 8/9 Imola; 22/9 Vallelunga; 6/10 Monza

GUIRRERI WILL PARTECIPATE IN THE PORSCHE SPRINT CHALLENGE SOUTHERN EUROPE

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We are pleased to announce that our driver Giuseppe Guirreri will start the 2024 season by participating in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe Championship, with Raptor Engineering Team of Andrea Palma.
The Championship takes place in 4 races between Portugal and Spain on very important circuits such as Portimao on 01/20, Estoril on 02/03. Valencia on 24/02 and finally Barcelona on 02/03.

Giovanni Minardi: “This mini Championship of 4 races will be a way for Giuseppe to train and prepare as best as possible for his main program which will be the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia. I am convinced that if he works as he did in the last tests at the end of the year, we will be able to be competitive straight away and get some great satisfaction.”

Giuseppe Guirreri: “I can’t wait to start the new season. The first goal of the year will be to participate in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe Championship. My expectations are very high and I hope I can meet them. We are aiming to win the Championship.”

Andrea Palma: “We returned from the last tests at the end of 2023 making important steps forward for Giuseppe. He is a young driver who knows how to listen and applies himself on the track and we are sure that his second season in Porsche will be a continuous growth. We start with enthusiasm from the winter series, an excellent ‘training’ in view of the main program. Raptor Engineering has never stopped and will continue to support its young driver with maximum commitment”.

GIUSEPPE GUIRRERI JOINS MINARDI MANAGEMENT

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Minardi Management is pleased to announce the entry into its Agency of the young Sicilian talent born in 2006, coming from the Carrera Cup Italian Championship.
The young sixteen-year-old is the youngest driver within the Porsche Championship and took his first Championship point in the penultimate round in Misano during the Porsche Festival. He will now prepare to face the last event in Imola on the weekend of 28/29 October, after which he will start working for the 2024 season.

Giovanni Minardi: “I’m extremely happy to start working with a driver like Giuseppe, with very clear ideas and with precise objectives. After karting he decided to immediately try his hand at covered wheel racing despite his young age, but this is because he strongly wants to join a car manufacturer as an official driver. I will give him all my support and experience to allow him to realize his dream. We’ll give it our all.”

Giuseppe Guirreri: “I’m delighted to join such a prestigious management company as Minardi Management. Their history and experience in the world of motorsport will certainly be an added value at this stage of my career and I can’t wait to start working together. Now full focus on the last round of the Carrera Cup Italia.”