Risi Competizione will kick off the 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series inaugural race, the historic Rolex 24 At Daytona, with a brand new Ferrari 488 GTLM. The car just arrived a few days ago from Italy, where it was built by Ferrari supplier Michelotto Automobili for the team's specs for the U.S. sports car series regulations.Risi Competizione's driver line for the 54th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 30-31, 2016, will feature all Ferrari factory drivers. Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) and Toni Vilander (FIN) will be the full season drivers for the year. Joining them for the twice-around-the-clock endurance race are Davide Rigon (ITA) and Olivier Beretta (MCO), both team drivers for last year's Rolex 24.This year will be the fourth time that Risi Competizione has debuted a new Ferrari race car model for the Ferrari factory for North American sports car racing. Other models were the Ferrari 360 GT in 2002, the Ferrari 430 GT in 2006 and the Ferrari 458 in 2011.In last year's Rolex 24 the Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia stayed atop the GTLM class until just before the 11-hour mark when an electrical engine misfire problem caused an early retirement. The team's best finish was a class victory in 2002 in the early SRPII Grand-Am class and they captured another podium in 2003 with a second place GT class finish in a Ferrari 360 GT. In 17 years of racing, Risi Competizione has only competed at the Rolex 24 At Daytona seven times. For the team who has won every major race in the U.S. and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, a Daytona 24 hour victory is a must!Rick Mayer, Risi Competizione Race Engineer:Talk about how building the new car went with Michelotto and how it all came together:"It starts off with picking the options you want on the car -- 24 hours lights, data system components, etc. The car would normally get delivered with a standard set of ratios, which would be one of the homologated sets and not the Daytona ratios. A gear change on this new car is very time consuming, so we sent over the ratios for Daytona and we also sent over all the various IMSA specific loggers, caution light system etc. We also installed the IMSA window nets, which are different than the FIA/ACO nets. The crew was able to decal the car at Michelotto and install items like the drivers drink system, car radio, and our telemetry car side system. We had three drivers do a seat fit check, as the seat is no longer on rails and you need to use inserts and this would be time consuming to do at the event. We sent two mechanics and our electrical/data engineer to ensure we had the best chance to get all the primary and secondary systems, mechanical and electrical, installed and operational. They set the fuel capacity to the IMSA BoP, another time consuming process you don't want to do at the track. We hand-carried over the pit side telemetry electronics to verify the system worked at the Fiorano shake down. We put the starting Daytona setup (in total) on the car at Michelotto. We basically tried to do everything possible to have the car roll off the plane, get to Daytona in a truck, unload the car and put it on track ready to race."

Toni VilanderToni Vilander, driver, No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTLM:You are joining Risi Competizione for the entire IMSA season. How do you feel about being back and what are the things you are looking forward to the most this year?"I obviously know the team. I did the Petit Le Mans last year with the team and in 2011 I raced the full season. It is an honor to be back. It will be a difficult season during the year; we have many different types of race tracks. The team knows the championship really well, which is needed to get the 488 in a good group straight away and then build the season on it."You will be introducing the new Ferrari 488 GTLM to the world this weekend. Talk about your thoughts and expectation of the new Ferrari model. "First of all, we start from Daytona, it will be a tight one. We all know the schedule when we came into this race. It's a pretty unique way to approach one of the most difficult races of the season. Saying that, it does not mean that we are not giving it everything we've got. We need to have a good, solid run during the practice and then we will be as well prepared as we can for the race."The 488 came well prepared by Michelotto straight away out of the box. Then it is really up to the reliability. We've seen the story of the (Ferrari) 360, 430, 458 and now the 488. It takes a little time once you get it racing and running on your own with some of the fine tuning and last details to go through, and especially during the first part of the season. We are really relying on a good support from Ferrari and Michelotto, and together with our very professional crew, so I'm really confident on that. Then again it's up to IMSA to have a good BoP (balance of performance). I'm normally not a BoP crier, but now is one of those times they need to work to get it spot on. We have new competitors in the championship. We have guys updating their race cars and one of the first times we have a big variety between the race cars, different technology. It's pretty important to get that BoP stuff together as well. I'm not asking to have more than the others but we need to have the same stop speed and same acceleration as the others and let's hope that IMSA does a good job and professional job during the year. I don't want it to be like a circus going back and forward. That makes it also a little painful for us drivers, so hopefully they get that sorted as well."You have competed in many endurance races around the world. How many times have you raced at Daytona and what makes Daytona special?"I don't remember the exact number but I've been here probably four to five times, with always really good speed at the Roar and good speed through the qualifying, and then somehow really lacking at the end of the race. I think I have never yet finished the race. It's a demanding race by the number of cars on the track and the different categories. The track itself is not the most difficult. I still remember the first day I hit the banking for the first time. That is something really unique for the European drivers but once you get a few laps under your belt, that's really smooth as well. The infield itself is not that difficult.. You need a consistent race car to stay out of trouble, especially at the night time and in case of rain, because that makes the life really difficult. You need to have a fast car on that banking and the end of the straight, but you can maybe sacrifice a little bit of the balance on the infield to have a better run on the long straight line.

Giancarlo Fisichella (left) and Davide Rigon (right)Giancarlo Fisichella, driver, No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTLM:You are returning to Risi Competizione this season and with a new Ferrari. How do you feel to be back with Risi and introducing the new Ferrari 488 GTLM to the world?"I'm really happy. It was my dream, my aim, to do another season with Risi Competizione, and with the new car, the new 488. It is a very good looking car and a step up from last year. I'm also happy to share the car with Toni Vilander for the season. I think he is one of best drivers in this category (GTLM). I have a very good feeling with him. We did Le Mans together four or five times. I'm sure it's going to be a great season for us. I'm also happy to race with Davide and Olivier for this race. We have a fantastic group, so we can do well."You have said that you love the history and atmosphere of the Rolex 24? Tell us about your favorite memory at Daytona."I don't really have great memories because I never scored a good result here. We always seem to have some problem with the car. Last year we were leading the race after 11 hours and had an electrical issue. I really want to do well. I want to push for one target and you know what the target is."This year you have a new model Ferrari, the 488, to compete in all season but there are many other new cars in the GTLM class. How does the competition look this year?"It is going to be very tough competition. BMW has a new car. Corvette has upgraded again from last year's car, and especially there is a new car from Ford, which is good for the championship. It's going to be very tough for everybody. It makes a nice championship though for all of us and for the spectators. I think it's going to be an exciting championship season."This will be your eighth year as a Ferrari factory driver, undoubtedly a special honor for any driver. What makes the Ferrari brand so special and revered around the world? "It's very special around the world and especially for an Italian driver. That was my dream when I was young -- to become a Formula One driver and to become a Ferrari factory racing driver. I have been with them since 2009, so my dream became true and I'm very pleased about it. I'm happy and proud to be a Ferrari factory driver and to be with Risi Competizione again."

Davide Rigon, driver, No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTLM:You have rejoined Risi Competizione for the Rolex 24 this year and will be introducing the new Ferrari 488 GTLM to the world this weekend. What do you think about returning to the 24 hours of Daytona race with Risi again this year?"For sure it is a pleasure to drive again for Risi. I'm very happy. Last year I had a really good feeling with them. We were leading when we had a problem, so we were very close to be on top at the end. It was very good to work with them so I'm happy to be back and with the new car. Unfortunately we didn't do the test (Roar Before the 24), so there was not a lot of time to work with the guys and the team. It would have been very nice to do a test but there was no time. I'm feeling really good about the new car. I've been testing quite a lot in Italy. I think it is born as a good car but we'll have to see when we compare against the others. I think the BoP (Balance of Performance) is not fantastic for us but we'll try to do our best. We'll push together with my teammates. It's a pleasure to drive with Toni, Giancarlo and Olivier. I think we are a good crew and I'm happy."You have done some of the testing and recently participated in the Risi Ferrari 488 shakedown. Talk about your thoughts and expectation of the new Ferrari model. "We did a shake down just to check the car. It was a really cold day in Italy so it was not possible to really push the car because it was new, but we checked everything and it was good and we prepared properly for here (Daytona). I think it was good but it was a different track; it was Fiorano. We didn't do many laps and it was Fiorano. At Daytona it is different. We'll see with the weather, although they say the first days will not be so good, as there may be rain. I think we just need the confidence of driving on the track. I think the car is well prepared."How would you feel if you were able to add a victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona to your resume? "Every time I come here it is fantastic...to see the banking is a good sensation. I love to drive here. It's a different track for me because I'm used to driving in Europe and those tracks are a completely different shape. Driving here with the high speed corner and also in the evening when there is not so much grip, it is completely different but I like the sensation. To win here for me would be like a dream. I really work a lot physically to be ready here to be good with the team and everything because it would be really a good sensation. To win here would be fantastic!"

Olivier BerettaOlivier Beretta, driver, No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTLM:You have rejoined Risi Competizione for the Rolex 24 this year and will be introducing the new Ferrari 488 GTLM to the world this weekend. What do you think about returning to the 24 hours of Daytona race with Risi again this year?"First of all, I am always very happy when I have the opportunity to race for Giuseppe. It's a team I have know for a long time. Last year we had a good race, we were fast, the pit crew did a fantastic job in every pit stop and we were leading the race at one point. This year is a new year with a new car and most of the crew guys are the same. We have four drivers and we know each other very well. We are friends and we have the same target, every one of us. We are here to have a great race. We want to finish what we started last year. We'll see during practice and then we'll think about the race."You have done some of the testing and recently participated in the Risi Ferrari 488 shakedown. Talk about your thoughts and expectation of the new Ferrari model. "It's a beautiful car but it's also a fantastic car to drive. It's a fast car and we have been testing a lot so the reliability has been great so far. What can I say? It's a totally different car than the 458. It's difficult to say where we are because we have to see what the others have done during the winter. In talking about ourselves everyone has have done everything they can do. I'm sure we have a great car."You're back at Daytona driving the new 488 against some tough competitors in the GTLM class. How does the competition look this year?"Daytona is always very hard in the GT category because there are many manufacturers. Of course the 24 Hours is a long race, anything can happen. The key is to never give up, to be focused on what you do and to do your job when it is your time to do. The crew are fantastic at Risi. They always do a great pit stop every time. I think we have everything, including a great car, to do well. We just have to see about the weather conditions. It should be sunny. . And we have to see how many yellows we have during the race but the strategy is always perfect. I'm very confident and really happy to race with Risi and my three friends and to finish the job we started to do last year."Practice session one begins Thursday morning, January 28 at 9:25 a.m. EST with GTLM class qualifying scheduled for 4:25-4:40 p.m. EST. The race starts Saturday, January 24 at 2:40 p.m. EDT. Live timing and scoring is available for all on-track sessions at IMSA.com and the IMSA Smartphone app.Tune-In Information:In the U.S., watch the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Saturday, Jan. 30, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m EST. on FOX Sports 1 and 4:00-10:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 2. Overnight viewing (Jan. 30-31) from 10:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m. EST watch on IMSA.tv (live video streaming and commentary). On Sunday, Jan. 31, 7:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. EST the broadcast will be on FOX Sports 1, the 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on FOX Sports 2, with the final two hours from 10:00-3:00 p.m. EST broadcast on FOX Sports 1. The Rolex 24 At Daytona is also available on the FOX Sports GO mobile app.