Risi Competizione has been a major competitor in American Le Mans Series for many years now. With an impressive record of victories, the American team built by Giuseppe Risi, the Ferrari and Maserati dealership in Houston, Texas, is still hungry before the 2010 season kicks off. The team has been selected for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and is getting ready for another season in American Le Mans Series.
Giuseppe, when you look back on the 2009 season, what are your feelings?
“One of both satisfaction and slight frustration. There is great satisfaction that we continued with our fantastic run of victories in the endurance classics, winning at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans, but slight frustration that this success didn’t completely cross over to the American Le Mans Series. We finished second in the Championships, and challenged for victory, but those extra race wins eluded us.”
Was the level of the competition higher than in previous years?
“I would say it was, with the entry to the class of BMW and – half way through the season – Corvette. Both those manufacturers are seasoned competitors and, like all of us, compete to win so it obviously has an overall affect on the class. Porsche, of course, like Ferrari, never stop developing and evolving their cars.”
Your team won Sebring, Petit Le Mans and the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009, so the longest and most prestigious races. How can you explain such good results in long races and do you have any special preparation?
“We don’t approach these races in a different way to any other, but GT2 does require a great level of preparation and commitment. You have to have a good team and drivers as their technical feedback for engineers is important. In the end I think it all boils down to preparation plus an element of luck always plays into long distance racing.”
What did you miss to clinch the drivers’ title in 2009?
“At least one race win in a normal 2 hour 45 minute event. We had three second place finishes and were very close, but for various reasons we just never managed to get on that top step – apart from at Sebring and Petit Le Mans. We still had an outside chance of taking the title at the final round at Laguna Seca, but were the victim of a clash with a less-experienced competitor and that was very disappointing.”
This is your last season with the F430GT, but is there any development on the 2010 car?
“Yes, there have been some positive developments by Ferrari and Michelotto which we are looking forward to running. The car is now called the Ferrari 430 GTE, with the ‘E’ standing for Evoluzione or Evolution. Essentially, it is a little wider to accommodate (FIA) GT1 specification wheels. There is a different front and rear spoiler and the bulge of the rear wheel arches is noticeable. Under the bodywork, there are revisions and developments to many of the mechanical areas of the car including suspension and steering geometry.”
How do you see the future of the ALMS?
“I believe it is a world class series but I do have an issue with the adherence to a steady maintenance of the regulations. The organizers can’t go on moving the goalposts and giving waivers to competitors mid-season to keep one team or another happy. I do not believe this is in the true sporting spirit.
“In order to keep Ferrari’s interest in this type of racing, and this series in particular, there needs to be stability in the regulations. In the last few years there were a few instances when the organizers have had to bring more cars to the field, or attract a new manufacturer, where waivers have been given, but I believe there has to be balanced somewhere for those competitors who have been loyal to the series for many years. Results are not always just about the car; it’s an overall package that includes the vehicle, the drivers and the team.”
You will be back to Le Mans in June to fight against newer cars; will the competition be more difficult this year?
“Of course, it is more difficult every year but that is what attracts the top teams to that particular race. It is the pinnacle of sports car racing, and to win there means you have beaten the best of the best – as Risi Competizione has done for the last two years. The entry list in 2010 includes BMW and Corvette in the GT2 class for the first time, as well as Jaguar, so it will be a real extension of our battles here in North America. It will be very tough.”
Why did you change your driver line-up for the 2010 season and what do you expect from the “new” line-up?
“We obviously work very closely with Ferrari in all aspects of our racing and that includes our driver line up. Jaime and Gianmaria are the two drivers with the most experience in the world of the F430, as they have both been involved with its development from the start. With AF Corse no longer entering the FIA GT Championship, Gianmaria’s availability opened up and it seemed clear to us that – with the increased level of competition in the ALMS GT2 class – we should present our strongest option possible and that was to partner him with Jaime. What do I expect from them? Nothing less than victory, or should that be victories!”
Do you already have an idea of the car that you will run in 2011?
“We wait to see what Ferrari plans, but to be able to run a GT version of the new Ferrari 458 would be superb. It is a stunning looking car and there is no reason why it could not be every bit as successful, or more, than the F430 has been.”
Your record of achievements is impressive in the GT2 class. Don’t you feel like moving up to LMPs?
“Prototype racing is always attractive because of the technology involved and winning overall, but the step between GT and LMP is huge. At this current time, that step is too big for many people, mostly from an economic point of view. I think that without manufacturer assistance, it is extremely hard to compete at LMP level, and Ferrari has no stated intention of removing its focus from F1 in the near future.”
What is your motivation after so many victories?
“The next victory. Always!”
Does the economic crisis in USA have an impact on your team?
“It has been a worldwide economic crisis, and motorsport worldwide has been affected from Formula One down to the smallest team. Like many others, we have looked very carefully at our budgets and trimmed down in all but the most essential areas. We are still here, and will still be competing at the highest level in GT racing and I think that speaks for itself.”
A few years ago, you ran two cars in ALMS. Would it be possible these days?
“We will be running a second car at Sebring, Laguna Seca and Le Mans for our friends at Krohn Racing and we are working hard to try and bring to fruition plans for a second car at the other rounds of the ALMS. We don’t, however, want to dilute our focus on winning just to satisfy car count number for the series.”
What do you focus on in 2010?
“Winning races, winning the endurance classics and winning championships.”
This last answer speaks for itself as well!
Interview by Cécile Bonardel