Italian GT

Team-mates Andrea Piccini and Luca Riccitelli took the victory again on the Misano track in race 1 this weekend - and a podium with their 3rd place win in race 2.

While he waits for his debut in the Lamborghini in the FIA GT championship, Andrea Piccini’s time om Italian GT has come to a satisfying conclusion.

In all, he competed in six rounds of the championship on board the Porsche 996 GT3 RSR of the Ebimotors Team. He took 4 victories, one 3rd place and retired only once (due to contact with an adversary that threw him off track). Thanks to these results, Riccitelli is in second place in the general classification and has notched up precious points closing on the leading couple: Chiesa- Kessel.

Andrea Piccini

“I’m delighted about my result. Above all for my team mate Luca who now more than ever can fight for the first position in the N-GT category.

Race 1 went smoothly. Luca started off superbly and instantly took first position and safeguarded it till we exchanged places. He handed the car over to me with a 15” advantage and at that point I limited myself to defending this advantage without trying to use up the tyres

After the first start was annulled in Race 2, I managed to take second place right behind Galimberti during the 2nd start. I had Piccolo, Merzario and Monti’s Ferraris behind me. My pace was slightly slower than Piccolo’s Ferrari and so he was able to overtake me.  I was then engaged in a duel with Merzario who wasn’t able to overtake me in a legitimate way and who continuously tried to throw me off track. His impacts on my car destroyed my back bumper, bent my exhausts and influenced my car’s performance.

Due to his lack of sportsmanship, Merzario was shown the white and black flag. At the end of the first 30 minutes, I gave the car back to Luca in third place and he maintained that position till the end.

The joy of this victory and podium was dampened by Merzario’s shameful behaviour both on track and off track. In fact ,Merzario declared live on SKY TV  that if he sees me see me in the paddock, he will give me two slaps like he did to my father years ago.

These comments are completely absurd.

First of all, Merzario has never had anything to do with my father. Secondly, no one should threaten other drivers let alone live on TV.I leave it up to the spectators to judge his behaviour which is surely incorrect and confirmed by the Marshalls. I wanted to clear this up with Merzario directly but all I got were more threats. This isn’t sportsmanship  but it’s not in my character to respond to these types of provocations.

I was very civil towards him, knowing that I didn’t commit any wrong doing Better still, that I was the victim of his continuous impacts that were recognized by the race Marshalls as well.”