The No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari F458 Italia team had a battle to the finish in today’s IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Continental Tire Road Race Showcase race at Road America and were awarded with a third place finish.
The story of the GTLM class race was a conventional Porsche vs. Ferrari fight. The popular Houston, Texas-based Risi Competizione Ferrari Team was the classic privateer entry against the mighty two-car Porsche factory team, in a ‘David versus Goliath’ battle. Help from the experienced Risi Competizione ‘army’ (pit crew), who were cheered for their incredibly quick under 15-second pit stops for four tires and fuel, aided in today’s successful podium finish.
Risi Competizione qualifying/starting driver Italian Giancarlo Fisichella started from the third position on the grid and rotated between the top three positions throughout his 90-minute stint of the two hour and 40 minute race. Although the No. 912 Porsche, then No. 911 Porsche lead the majority of the race, Fisichella and teammate Pierre Kaffer, worked hard to keep the third-place Porsche in their mirrors.
Former Formula One driver Fisichella pitted on Lap 40 of the 76-lap race in the lead and turned the Ferrari 458 Italia over to his German co-driver, Kaffer, who took it back into the lead when the Porsche pitted and drove in that position until the Risi team did a final quick splash of fuel on Lap 56.
While the No. 911 Porsche of Patrick Pilet and Nick Tandy took the lead to the finish, Kaffer and No. 912 Porsche driver Jorg Bergmeister went nose-to-tail for the final 14 laps. Kaffer held off the hard charge until his nearly double stinted Michelin tires could no longer maintain against the newer Michelin’s of Bergmeister, who passed him on the final lap for second place.
The No. 62 Risi Competizione third place finish was also 15th overall in the 33-car field. Provisional GTLM Team Championship points show the Risi Ferrari team still in fifth place, just two points shy of the No. 24 BMW Team RLL team. The No. 3 Corvette leads, followed by No. 25 BMW RLL and the No. 911 Porsche. Fisichella and Kaffer maintain fifth place in the GTLM Driver’s Championship as well.
GIANCARLO FISICHELLA, No. 62 Ferrari 458 Italia, Risi Competizione starting driver:
“It was a very tough race, but our pace was very good and car balance was good as well. Porsche was actually a bit quicker than us and very consistent all the way through. The team did fantastic pits tops and strategy. We could have finished second until the end. Just in the last corner, the Porsche, with the fresher tires, overtook Pierre, who was on the limit. It’s a great result. All the team did the best they could do. There wasn’t any more we could do. We’re looking forward to the next race.”
PIERRE KAFFER, No. 62 Ferrari 458 Italia, Risi Competizione driver:
“Today it was team result. I think it was everything we had and everything we could achieve. The pit stops and the crew were awesome. Giancarlo did a great first and second stint and my stint was perfect. For the last pit stop we gambled and we kept our tires and maintained track position and I did everything I could to keep the Porsche behind me. In the end there was no rubber left on my tires and he just accelerated better than we could and there was just nothing we could do. We finished third and we are really pleased and I think the last half hour was our show and that’s how motorsports should be — hard but fair. This time we finished third, but next time we fight again for the victory. Thanks again to my team and to Giuseppe (Risi).”
RICK MAYER, No. 62 Ferrari 458 Italia Risi Competizione Race Engineer:
“It was an interesting race today. We finished third, better than we anticipated. I was thinking we wouldn’t be as competitive as we were, but it was a really good race for us. The new Michelin tire suited the Ferrari well. Pierre was on some really, really old tires at the end and we had to try that strategy to keep the Porsche behind us. We had nothing more left at the end. The Porsches were quick all weekend and pretty much dominated, so third for us is a huge win and winning the DEKRA award for the fourth time this year is another feather in our cap. The Risi crew had great stops and spent less time in the pits than any other car in the field. Hats off to them for putting the car in a position to finish well”
DAVE SIMS, No. 62 Ferrari 458 Italia Risi Competizione Team Manager:
“It was a brilliant race. The pit stops were fantastic again, and both drivers were on it, doing equal times and they pushed all afternoon. The car behaved itself and tires were good from Michelin. Finishing P3, and being P2 up until the last lap, was great. He just couldn’t hold on to it much longer without something going off. Pierre did a wonderful job at the end. Fisichella, in the first stint, was absolutely magic. The first pit stop was 14.8 second, which was fantastic!”