Houston-based Risi Competizione regained its winning form in spectacular fashion today, the No.62 Ferrari 458 Italia of Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli obliterating the GT opposition at Virginia International Raceway in the penultimate round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series.

Drivers Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli drove a flawless race from start to finish in hot and humid temperatures (94o air/114o track), the Italian making several decisive moves in the final 40 minutes of the race to overtake two cars for a class lead which he never relinquished.

Up against factory-supported teams from BMW, Corvette, Viper and Porsche, the Risi Competizione Ferrari not only led the hugely competitive and tightly fought GT race for over a third of the distance, but Malucelli also recorded the fastest race lap by some considerable margin and finished 15 seconds ahead of his nearest competitor.

It is the team’s best result since the opening round, the 12 Hours of Sebring, and is a great reward for the persistent hard work put in by all concerned after what has, to date, been a disappointing season in terms of results. A first victory for a Ferrari in the American Le Mans Series this year, it was also Risi Competizione’s first victory since Road America in 2011, Malucelli’s first ALMS career win and Beretta’s 42nd – his first since 2009.

Team Principal Giuseppe Risi was ecstatic after the race: “It’s been a two-year drought for us, and I can’t tell you how proud I am of every single member of Risi Competizione today. Olivier and Matteo drove a perfect race, the engineers prepared a perfect car and ran a great strategy, and the team once again proved they are among the very best in GT racing today with faultless pit work.

“As it draws to a close in its current format, the American Le Mans Series has received a lot of accolades this week for having the best GT competition in the world. Today this was proved once again – the strength of competition offering some breathtaking racing for fans to see. Risi Competizione has claimed its place as being the only privateer Ferrari team racing in the USA to win in this environment against the best in the business – something we can all be proud of.

“For some time we have been asking for some recognition from IMSA of a re-balance of performance between the Ferrari and the other GT cars in the field, and finally we got it before the last round. We have now proved that we can be competitive again, and will go into the final round of the year determined to show that we are back where we belong.”

After a great qualifying performance by Malucelli yesterday, Olivier Beretta started the race from second place on the GT grid but stormed ahead of the pole-sitting BMW at the green flag. Despite considerable pressure from the train of GT cars behind, he held the lead until mid-way through his 64-minute stint when his tires had passed their optimum performance point.

From second place in class, the Monegasque driver handed over to his team mate for the remaining one hour and 44 minutes, and despite a delayed pit stop due to a recalcitrant starter which meant he exited the pits in 5th place, the Italian set about climbing back up the order.

Two of the race’s three full course caution periods took place just over half way through the 2 hour 45 minute event, but Malucelli never wavered and set about making his way back towards the head of the field. He moved into the class lead 16 laps before the checkered flag after some clean overtaking passes, pulling out a clear gap between the Risi Ferrari and the opposition by the finish.

Olivier Beretta said afterwards: “We had a really good race today. We have been unlucky since Sebring, and since our pole position at Laguna Seca. I’m really happy for Risi and Matteo, it is his first win and I hope we can go to Petit and get another win for this team. The 458 is a great car, but we struggled a bit in the first part of this season. To get the win now is great for the team and Ferrari.”

Matteo Malucelli added: “We haven’t stopped working on the car all season and have improved it a lot. We were fast at COTA but had a few problems, but this time everything was perfect – the team, the car and the Michelin tires. It was a really good race and we had good pace, especially in the middle of the stint. We had a bit of a problem in the second pit stop, and I came out in fifth place, but with these tires I could go really fast so I could pass anybody. I made my moves on the track and was able to come out in first place. It was a fun win.”

The final ever round of the American Le Mans Series, Petit Le Mans, will take place on Saturday, 19 October at Road Atlanta, Georgia.