MINARDI MANAGEMENT COLLABORATES WITH THE RACING SPIRIT BRAND

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Minardi Management is pleased to announce the collaboration with Racing Spirit, a lifestyle clothing brand inspired by motorsport by Racing Force Group, a world leader in safety equipment for motor racing.
Starting from the 2024 racing season, the Minardi Management staff will be provided with a range of customized Racing Spirit teamwear garments, on the occasion of the numerous race weekends on the karting and car circuits, both in Italy and internationally.
The agreement will also see the other Racing Force Group brands involved, with the supply of OMP racewear, Bell Racing helmets and Zeronoise audio communication systems to best support Minardi Management and the drivers it follows in their competitive journey.

Giovanni Minardi: “I am really happy that a leading company in the Motorsport sector like Racing Force Group has chosen my Management Agency to advertise an elite brand like Racing Spirit and I hope our collaboration will continue for a long time.
We will show the whole world of motorsport the quality of the products and I am sure that everyone will love them”.
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Corrado Audisio, Sales Senior Manager di Racing Force Group: “We are pleased to support Minardi Management, a company that with experience and passion has stood out for years in supporting young talents on their growth path towards the top of motorsport. Together with Giovanni we have selected a range of Racing Spirit technical garments capable of satisfying the comfort and functionality needs required by the agency during the intense race weekends, together with customizations that strengthen their recognizability in international paddocks”.

JAMES EGOZI JOINS THE RED BULL JUNIOR JUNIOR TEAM

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After the great success of Minardi Management in bringing Andrea Kimi Antonelli into the Mercedes F1 Academy in 2018, we are happy to announce another important achievement of ours. Giovanni Minardi managed to get the driver James Egozi into the Red Bull Junior Team. In 2023 we had already included him in the private PHM Racing Academy, giving him the opportunity to participate in an entire season in the Italian F4 Championship, however in 2024, thanks to the new collaboration just concluded with Red Bull he will have the opportunity to increase his programs to aim for its ultimate goals. Minardi Management and Giovanni Minardi demonstrate once again that they give each driver of their Agency the opportunity to open all possible doors, taking advantage of the excellent network of knowledge and respect towards Giovanni Minardi himself within the world of Motorsport and ensure its drivers a future in this sport.

Giovanni Minardi: “Who would have thought that in just two years of a management contract, we would have managed to get here. Having included him last year at the last moment in the private Academy program of the PHM Racing team and now in Red Bull, which allowed him and will allow him in the future to race like a professional, we believe we have achieved a true sportive miracle according to James Egozi.
Now it’s all in the hands of him and Red Bull to find the right path to reach the final goal, that is, Formula 1.
At this point we believe that there are no longer the conditions to continue our journey together, because it will be impossible to obtain more than what we have achieved in these two years and therefore our paths will separate, but with the awareness on our part of having done an outstanding job for James.”

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

THE KOSMOPOULOS FAMILY JOINS MINARDI MANAGEMENT FAMILY

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Minardi Management and the Kosmopoulos family begin a collaboration of management for their two children Jason and Nefeli.
Jason will participate in 2024 in the WSK Championships and the Italian Championship in the Mini category, and we are extremely excited to see him already racing in January here in Italy! Regarding Nefeli, we are deciding at the moment together with her parents beside her commitment at school the possibility to race internationally and at which races and championships she will participate in 2024.

Giovanni Minardi: “For me it is a huge honour to collaborate with the entire Kosmopoulos family. They are a family that live for motorsport by managing a karting team, a karting academy and soon a brand new karting track in Greece. I felt from the first time very familiar with them and with the same ideas and visions in my mind. Jason, I noted the first time last year at the end of the season here in Italy on track and I was immediately impressed by his performance, his excellent attitude and his natural driving ability. I am sure, that this young man from Greece will rock the Mini category this year in the WSK and Italian Championship. Instead regarding Nefeli, I am extremely excited to start working also with her this year. Nefeli will be the third karting girl in our agency and I strongly believe that we can collect many successes together. We as a management believe strongly in the girls power on track and are very happy about the last developments regarding girls and women in the world of Motorsport. We together with Nefeli will try to equilibrate this sport one more time.”

Jason & Nefeli Kosmopoulos: “We are very happy to start a collaboration with Minardi Management for the season 2024 in Mini Gr.3 and OKJ, and we are sure that we can obtain fantastic results together.”

BENJAMIN WESTWOOD CONTINUES WITH GP RACING KARTS IN 2024

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We are pleased to announce that our Maltese driver Benjamin Westwood will continue in 2024 with the GP Racing Karts team.
Benjamin’s main program for the 2024 season will be the ROK Italy Series Championship with the Winter Trophy, ROK Trophy and ROK Superfinal, but probably you will see him also at some WSK appointments. Keep fingers crossed!

Giovanni Minardi: “I thank Gian Cavaciuti for the magnificent proposal that made us keep Benji in his team. I am sure that this year Benji will be one of the protagonists of the Mini ROK world. We will aim to be on the podium every race weekend and above all we will aim to obtain an excellent result in the Superfinal in October.”

Benjamin Westwood: “I’m happy to be driving with GP Racing as a team driver for the ROK Cup Championship in 2024. I believe this year can be a very strong year especially since we have a team of mini drivers all pushing together. I feel super pumped to start the year. Looking forward to seeing everyone on track.”

Gian Cavaciuti: “It will be a pleasure to continue the collaboration with Benji Westwood for the 2024 season. I am convinced that, with our support and the recent partnership with Minardi Management, we will achieve excellent results. Benji will give his all in the Italian ROK Championship and in selected international races.”

PIETRO BAGUTTI SIGNS WITH MINARDI MANAGEMENT

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Minardi Management is proud to announce that the driver from Piacenza, Pietro Bagutti, has become part of our family.
Pietro in 2024, will jump from Mini where he achieved excellent successes in the OKNJ category racing in the WSK Championships and in the Italian ACI Karting Championship, together with his team Gamoto of Salvatore and Vincenzo Gatto.

Giovanni Minardi: “We are extremely happy that another Italian talent is joining our agency; I have been chasing Pietro for years and now I have finally managed to close an agreement with him. I am sure that even if this year he begins a new adventure in the OKNJ category, he will immediately be competitive and equally certain that he will bring home many excellent results.”

Pietro Bagutti: “An extreme honor to start my “first year” and I hope an important path in the next OKNj category with Minardi Management and Team Gamoto, all extremely important figures in the world of Motorsport with the prospect and ambitions of being able to maximize my potential and above all my passion that Motorsport has been my priority for years, even though study and school are another fundamental goal in life because knowledge of the world is fundamental.”

MARKAS SIGNS WITH CRG FACTORY TEAM FOR 2024

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We are pleased to announce a change of jersey for Markas Silkunas, he leaves Gamoto to join CRG Factory Team. After an excellent 2023 with a 3rd place in the FIA Academy and the victory of the Lithuanian Championship, Markas has finally earned entry into a factory team where he will participate in all of the most important Championships, such as the WSK, Champions of the Future, CIK FIA European and CIK FIA World Championship.

Giovanni Minardi: “I am very happy to have managed to bring Markas to CRG, because they have great material for the OK category where he will compete, as well as having very experienced and fast drivers who will be able to help him grow quickly. I’m sure we can do great things.”

Markas Silkunas: “I am very happy that i have this great opportunity to join CRG factory team. I hope i will have a great relationship with all staff and teammates, which will help me to achieve great results with the new chassis. Thank you for all support from my family and Minardi Management. I will do my best!”

Giancarlo Tinini: “We welcome Markas to the team. We are ready to integrate him into our team, where the exchange between our champions is constant. We had the opportunity to observe him and follow his career, we are happy to participate in the project of his growth and we are sure that we can work well together!”

KAIS AZIZA CONTINUES WITH GAMOTO

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Kaïs Aziza’s 2024 season starts with the renewal with Team Gamoto. The Swiss driver has decided to continue the partnership with the Sicilian team, after an excellent second part of the season 2023 together, to aim the victory in the Italian ACI Karting Championship and top positions in WSK races in the OKNJ category.

Giovanni Minardi: “I can’t wait to see Kaïs back on track, I see him fired up and 150% motivated and I’m sure that the 2024 season will be his consecration as a fast and very talented driver. We all should never forget that Kaïs has only 5 races under his belt in the Mini category, 5 races in the OKNj and 2 in the X30 Junior. Despite his lack of experience in the international karting scene, he has always performed incredibly strong in all races at which he has participated. Now in 2024, the time has come to climb to the top step of the podium.”

Kaïs Aziza: “2023 was a big lessons for me, after not even a year in international races, I was able to obtain very good results.
Next year I am happy to continue the adventure with Gamoto, Dorothea and Giovanni. A big thank you to my family, my sponsors and everyone who believed in me”.

Salvatore Gatto: ”We are extremely happy that Kaïs Aziza has reconfirmed the collaboration with the Gamoto team for the 2024 season!
We all believe in Kaïs’ talent and potential and we are certain we can achieve important results!!
Special thanks go to Kaïs’ family and Giovanni Minardi (Minardi Management) for their trust! Thank you!”

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