FIA WEC GTE Champions, AF Corse, has now finalised its driver line up for its two entries in the hotly contested LMGTE Pro category of the World Endurance Championship. AF Corse’s Ferrari 458 Italias will go head-to-head with Porsche AG Team Manthey, Aston Martin Racing and Ram Racing in the class which, in 2013, never failed to deliver drama and excitement in each round.
In the No.51 entry will be arguably the world’s fastest Ferrari driver and winner of the inaugural World Endurance Cup for GT Drivers, Gianmaria Bruni, and the Italian will be paired with Finn Toni Vilander. The two have been long-time friends and colleagues – driving together in several rounds of the FIA WEC and winning the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans (with Giancarlo Fisichella) – and the duo combines to form an extremely strong mix of speed, experience and talent.
AF Corse’s second entry, the No.71 F458 Italia, introduces two new names to the category – one of whom will be making his FIA World Endurance Championship debut at his home race, the 6 Hours of Silverstone. Ferrari F1 test driver Davide Rigon moves up from LMGTE Am, having made four appearances in 2013 for the class-winning 8Star Motorsports entry, winning the category in the 6 Hours of Shanghai and taking two further podiums. The Italian will be joined by a newcomer to the championship, but one who promises to embrace sportscar racing and deliver results for AF Corse: James Calado.
The Briton, 24, who finished third in last year's GP2 Championship and who was a Force India F1 test driver, has carried out a number of test sessions for AF Corse and is very much looking forward to his first taste of top class GT competition: “I’ve done a few tests now so think I am up to speed and feeling confident with the car. It was a bit strange at first with no carbon brakes and no downforce (compared to GP2) but now I feel comfortable and it’s ‘normal’. I have been concentrating on what it takes to be quick and consistent, learning about longer races where you have to look after the car and tyres, as well as getting to grips with driver changes and generally getting to know the team.”
Calado continues: “I have the perfect team mates in Gimmi and Toni to learn from, in terms of their experience they are the best, and everyone in the whole AF Corse team has been very friendly. Davide is also fantastic and very quick and I’m really enjoying the whole atmosphere here. Now I just can’t wait to race, especially as first time out will be Silverstone and my home crowd.”
Fiona Miller
Photo: AF Corse's new LMGTE Pro signing, James Calado.
