As the hype builds ahead of the 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour, the rumours have been circulating and Maranello Motorsport have today formally confirmed that ex-Formula 1 and current Risi Competizione Ferrari specialist, Mika Salo, will complete their star line-up for the endurance event.
Last year the team saw great achievement and heartbreak, proving their place as one to watch amongst the strongest field yet seen at the event.
Salo has more recently become known in Australian motor sport through his involvement with the V8 Supercars Gold Coast 600 event where he stood atop the podium last season, but will return to the GT classes where his past successes and vast experience will certainly add to the already impressive driver line-up, as he joins endurance specialist Allan Simonsen, Australian Touring Car champion and legend John Bowe and one of Australias best semi-professional racers and team owner Peter Edwards.
With a career spanning series, manufacturers and the globe, Salo joins the Melbourne-based outfit with highlights already including a successful stint in Formula 1 with Ferrari, dual Le Mans 24 Hour victories, endurance podiums at Spa-Francorchamps and Sebring, FIA GT and American Le Mans Series success with leading Ferrari outfits AF Corsa, Risi Ferrari and Risi Competizione, and experience in GT vehicle developments through Maseratis MC12 project.
Currently a signed factory Ferrari driver with Risi Competizione in the American Le Mans Series GT2 class in a Ferrari 458 GT3, Salo has valuable experience with the latest in the Prancing Horses supercar stable, and is looking forward to joining his Australian-based, international-faced team early next month, explaining,
Ive always wanted to race at Bathurst. Im always being told theres nowhere like it, and to now be able to look forward to racing there with a strong team and in a Ferrari, is very exciting.
As a driver there is always more that you can look to achieve and I have enjoyed my racing so far. Joining Maranello Motorsports team gives me a good opportunity to go for more achievements, although the first laps at the mountain might still be a little daunting, but Im sure I will be made comfortable and we will all put in our best effort.
Allan (Simonsen) and I have been in touch and will fly to Australia together, and the team have already been very supportive and have many things happening to make sure that our (Ferrari) 458 (GT3) impresses again this time out.
Maranello Motorsport Managing Director Mark Coffey made the confirmation of Salos inclusion in the strong team, saying,
Its an outstanding opportunity for the team to welcome Mika for the biggest GT endurance event in Australia. To now have two experienced international drivers, along with two impressive Australian drivers, the team will be well positioned to build on the promise shown during last years event.
Mikas invaluable knowledge of the Ferrari brand and his vast experience with 458 race cars, along with the additional support from Michelottos specialist engineers and technical crew, leads us into another exciting season where we believe that Maranello Motorsport has a lot to offer, a lot more yet to prove, and is undoubtedly capable of standing on the podium come February.
Maranello Motorsports 2013 Bathurst 12 Hour campaign is proudly supported by Il Bello Rosso Baby Roma Tomatoes, IVECO Trucks, General Pants Co, BioMax, iPatrol and GPI Corporate.
