Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM No. 62: Toni Vilander (FIN)
James Calado (GBR)
Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA)
Davide Rigon (ITA)

Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD No. 82: Miguel Molina (ESP)
Martin Fuentes (MEX)
Ricardo Perez de Lara (MEX)
Santiago Creel (MEX)
Matt Griffin (IRL)

The Risi Competizione Ferrari Team from Houston, Texas is returning to the "World Center of Racing", Daytona International Speedway, January 25-28, for the Rolex 24 At Daytona with its most formidable line-up as it celebrates the teams' 20th anniversary.

Team Principal Giuseppe Risi turned heads when he paired the top Ferrari GT sports car race drivers of today to compete in the 56th annual running of the twice-around-the-clock endurance race.

Ferrari factory GT drivers in the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM, sponsored by Effex Management Solutions, include Risi regular Toni Vilander of Finland, with recent addition Italian Davide Rigon and World Endurance Championship (WEC) GT Driver Champions, Brit James Calado and Italian Alessandro Pier Guidi.

Also this year Risi Competizione added the No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari GTD car of Spanish Ferrari factory GT driver Miguel Molina, making his inaugural run at Daytona, along with recent addition and Ferrari Irish hotshoe Matt Griffin, and Mexican drivers Ricardo Perez de Lara, Martin Fuentes and Santiago Creel.

Risi Competizione has competed at Daytona 12 times and with 14 entries (two-car teams in 2003 and 2012). Victory has eluded the popular American racing team with roots in Italy, but they have graced the podium in 1999 and 2003 (second place) and last year with a third-place finish.

2017 Rolex 24 At Daytona Podium (L-R) Giancarlo Fisichella, Toni Vilander, and James Calado

This year's Rolex 24 At Daytona will run January 25-28 at the 3.56-mile superspeedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. with an expected 50 cars in three classes in the International Motor Sport Association (IMSA) WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

The race starts at 2:40 p.m. EST on Saturday, January 27 and runs for 24 hours. Practice sessions take place Thursday and Friday and a 15-minute qualifying is schedule for late afternoon on Thursday.

QUOTES:
Toni Vilander, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM:
Share your thoughts on the stellar driver line-up in your car with James, Ale and Davide joining you for the Rolex 24.
"They are really good drivers and they all come from a very strong 2017 season. They are also experienced drivers in Daytona as well, so we will have a good race."

Last year you were on the podium at Daytona with Risi in a great race but didn't quite make it to the top step. Talk about the competition in the GTLM class this year again and what it will take to win.
"The last hour is the key and to stay clean until that time and then go for it."

Alessandro Pier Guidi, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM:
Share your thoughts on your 3 co-drivers and the formidable line-up in your GTLM car.
"My co-drivers are all very strong and I think I couldn't have better line-up. We know each other very well and we have a good relationship also out of the race track. We will do our best to achieve the goal. "

You handled all the driving tasks at the Roar for the team. Do you feel you have the car where you want it for the race?
"I think driving alone during the Roar Test we could try many different solutions in terms of setup because I had a lot of driving time. We collected a lot of important data and in this period. Risi's engineers, together with Ferrari's engineers, analyzed everything to have the best setup we can have. I feel we did a very good job, but we will discover only when the race start."

How does the competition look like in the GTLM class for the Rolex 24 this year?
"The competition in GTLM is always really strong. We can't forget, we are competing like a private team against four manufacturers, but I think this doesn't mean we have less chance than the other ones. I'm sure the race will be really tough, and it will be decided in the last hour. During the Roar we struggled a bit with the top speed compared to our competitor but then IMSA made a few changes in terms of BOP (Balance of Performance) and I hope we will be closer. Top speed at Daytona is really important, not just for lap time but also to not lose time overtaking GTD cars."

James Calado, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM:
Welcome back to the Risi Competizione team for Daytona. Every time you've raced with Risi you've been on the podium (last year at both Daytona and Sebring) and in 2016 for the victory at Petit. What's so special about the Risi Competizione team?
"Thank you. I am really looking forward to coming back to Daytona, especially as a newly crowned World Champion (FIA WEC GT). Last year we were third and we were disappointed with the result, despite having the speed to win the race. The goal can only be first place and with our line-up I think we have the best. Alessandro said the test went well so this is promising. We have a lot of experience under our belt so I'm looking forward to this challenge.

Share your thoughts on your 3 co-drivers and the formidable line-up in your GTLM car.
"Risi is a great team and I have a great relationship with all of them. We had success in 2016 with a convincing victory in Petit Le Mans, plus a third place in Daytona and Sebring last year. They certainly know how to win races, I wouldn't be doing it if they didn't.

"I have driven with all the drivers. I obviously know Alessandro well as he is my teammate in the World Endurance Championship. He is extremely quick and a great racer. Davide and Toni, they rarely make mistakes and are extremely experienced, especially with set up of the car. We are all very similar in terms of pace so I'm very excited to get things kicked off."

Davide Rigon, driver No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM:
Welcome back to the Risi Competizione team for Daytona. You previously drove with Risi at Daytona in 2015 & 2016. Tell us your thoughts on being back with Risi for the Rolex 24 this year?
"Yes, it is really nice to be back with the Risi Competizione team. I have really good memories of the past races. We missed just a little bit of luck for victory, but I was impressed by how all the team prepare every single detail of the car. For that I really want to do my best to make a big result."

What are the most important things to focus on in an endurance race like the 24 Hours of Daytona?
"All details will be very important but mostly to have a good, fast car Sunday morning when the sun will come up and trying to stay away from any contacts during the beginning of the race."

Ricardo Perez de Lara, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD:
Tell us about the outstanding driver line-up in your Risi Competizione GTD car and how it all came together.
"I'm very happy with how the project came together. It is something we've been working with the team since we won the Ferrari Challenge World Championship with Risi/Ferrari of Houston. The driver line-up we think has lots of potential and we will work hard to bring a victory home."

This will be your third time to compete at the Rolex 24, and having previously co-driven with your teammates Fuentes and Santiago. What makes the 24 Hours of Daytona race so special?
"I raced in 2012 with Martin Fuentes and then 2016 with Santiago, so I know both of them very well and how they work in endurance races. The Rolex 24 is very special for me for various reasons. Daytona has been a very good track for me with important victories, but also has been the scene of one of my toughest moments with my crash in the 2016 Finali Mondiali. This is going to be my first race back in Daytona since that accident, and to have it be the Rolex 24 makes it extra special, so the idea is to get even with Daytona and get a win this weekend."

After testing at the Roar how tough does the race look for 2018?
"I've been impressed with the growth of the IMSA WeatherTech championship. Since my first Rolex 24 in 2012, the series has gone from having some teams racing for fun to having a full line up of over 50 very professional and top drivers and teams. This year it looks like it's going to be one of the most competitive Rolex 24 hours in recent memory. But with the support of Risi Competizione, which I have no doubt is the best team on the grid, we hope to be fighting at the sharp end of the grid when the checkers fall."

Matt Griffin, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD:
What did you think when you got the late call to come race with the Risi Competizione GTD team at the Rolex 24?
"It was unexpected for sure. I had a very busy 2017 doing 31 race weekends so the plan was no races in January. Then the call came to join the team and it was something I didn't need to think, I jumped at it!"

The drivers in the two Risi Competizione cars are like a who's who in Ferrari GT racing. How does it feel to be a part of that 2018 legacy?
"It feels great. I know the other Ferrari drivers very well having raced together with all of them over the past few years that definitely makes it easier to settle in. While it will be my first time racing for Risi Competizione, it's clear that they are at the pinnacle of GT racing, so I can't wait to get going."

This will be your third time to compete at Daytona. What do you like best about the race and circuit and what is the most challenging?
"It's a really huge event unlike any other race, maybe only Le Mans is bigger. The circuit is very interesting with high banks and it can take some time to get used to that. The most challenging thing is that last few hours of the race. As long as you have had a reasonably clean run it all comes down to the final few hours which you need to be at 110%.

Santiago Creel, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD:
This will be your third time to compete at the Rolex 24, and having previously co-driver with your teammate Perez. How tough do you think you will find the competition at the 24 Hours of Daytona race?
"Yes, it is my third time at Daytona and second with Perez. Each year it tends to get harder and harder, the level of competition is very high. Saying that I think that pairing up with Risi Competizione and Ferrari we can go for the win."

After testing at the Roar what do you like best about the Daytona circuit? And what is the most challenging?
"What I like best is the Infield, the most challenging is the braking zones and the 'Bus Stop'."

Martin Fuentes, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD:
Tell us about the outstanding driver line-up in your Risi Competizione GTD car and about your co-drivers.
"We have a very good set of drivers to compete at the 24 Hours of Daytona race with various levels of experience. WE all work together well and know one another so it is a good match."

How does the competition look for this year in the GTD class?
"The competition in the race is very strong with 50 cars total and 21 in the GTD class alone. The variety of cars is also impressive with Ferrari, BMW, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes, Audi, Acura and Lexus all having strong teams in the GTD class. Everyone will fight hard to be the strongest at the end."

Miguel Molina, driver No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD:
You will be competing in your first Rolex 24. What were your first impressions about the Daytona circuit after being here for the Roar Test?
"For me racing at Daytona 24 hour is a really good privilege because this race is known around the world. First experience at the track I'll always remember, especially when driving on the banking."

As a Ferrari driver, what does it feel like to be asked to come race a Ferrari with Risi Competizione in America for the Rolex 24?
"Racing for Risi Competizione is new for me but I always heard about it, so that means a good sign. The team has much experience racing in America so let's do a good race together. I'm really happy to join the team."

You've got quite a line-up in your GTD car and also just had the addition of Matt Griffin. Talk about your co-drivers and how you all are learning to work together in the cockpit.
"I had a good feeling with my team mates, speaking a Spanish language is easier for everyone. For the race Matt will also join us and we know each other from last year's WEC championship. The driver line-up is a perfect choice to achieve our goal!"

Tune-In Information:
Qualifying will broadcast on IMSA.tv on Thursday January 25th from 3:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST.

The 56th running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona begins Saturday, January 27th at 2:00 p.m. EST. The first three hours of the race will air live on FOX. A total of over 14 hours will air live and broadcast on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Sports 2:

Saturday, January 27 on FS2 from 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. EST
Saturday into Sunday, January 28 on FS1 from 11:00 p.m. - 1:00 a.m.
Sunday, January 28 on FS1 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Sunday, January 28 on FS1 from 10:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The entire race will be streamed live on FSGO with FS1 authentication. Fans can also listen in with audio commentary via IMSA.com, RadioLeMans.com and Sirius XM Radio and follow the race live with in-car cameras, IMSA Radio and timing and scoring available worldwide on IMSA.com and the IMSA App.