Alex Tagliani sets competitive lap times
Team ZAKSPEED took part in the Blancpain GT Series´ two-day test program at the Autodrome Nazionale in Monza last week, where the season opener for the Endurance Championship will take place on the third weekend in April. ChampCar-Star Alex Tagliani will compete behind the wheel of the new Mercedes-AMG GT3.
The team from Niederzissen already took part in the official testing sessions in Paul Ricard in early March. At that stage, the race car was still new to ZAKSPEED and the drivers had to get to know the car first and foremost. “We suffered a few problems in Paul Ricard, but the intensive testing program we have completed during the past few weeks is really paying off now. We know the car well and the drivers are doing a great job, too. Tag is showing his speed already, we knew he was going to be a strong asset for our team, but he is quickly showing that he has great feeling for the car and is helping the engineers developing the new Mercedes-AMG GT3. For a guy without experience in GT cars he it’s quite impressive”, says Peter Zakowski, Team Owner Team ZAKSPEED, of his new driver.
Especially Alex Tagliani, who is better known and appreciated all over the world from his many successful years racing in Formula Motorsport, is adapting to the GT car well. “Of course, it was quite a change for me after having driven Formula cars for so many years, but the car is lighter than a Nascar car with more downforce so I felt comfortable right away”, says Tagliani. “The new Mercedes-AMG GT3 is a really great car to drive, the handling feels good, it’s the first time that I get in a race car with a roof over my head and I can challenge the braking zones, it’s fun! I am confident following the great test in Monza to have an equally good race here in a few weeks. It is a new challenge, sharing the car with other drivers, it’s going to be important to improve as a group, driver change etc., extracting every second in every segment of GT racing become important, but I am very excited of working with the new engineering staff they are amazing, the AMG staff was very helpful during the test and obviously driving for ZAKSPEED is great and something special for a driver.”
The team of Peter Zakowski proofed that it can drive right at the top with P3 on Thursday and the fifth quickest time on Friday. “Both days were very important to us and we managed to learn a great deal. The drivers did a good job for us, we have a balanced line-up, Jean Frederic (Laberge) adapt quite well to is first experience in GT3 cars, Darryl’s experience having driven so many different cars in GT is great, and Alex was super quick on very old tires, his feeling of the car is amazing and allows the team to learn about the new car and developing it quickly. Alex surprised the engineer staff with his pace and looked like a very experienced GT driver, Tag doesn’t know it yet but he has a strong future in GT car racing”, says Sascha Fassbender, Team Manager Team ZAKSPEED. “We are very happy to have Alex carrying the ZAKSPEED brand. “We have a strong package and are starting confidently into the new season, looking forward to the race in Monza plus we are looking forward to unveiling the new livery of our #91 Mercedes-AMG GT3 in a few weeks.
The first race of the Blancpain Endurance Series will take place from 22 – 24 April 2016 in Monza.
