American Le Mans Series
Risi Competizione sign Melo and Bruni for 2010
© Planetlemans – Marcel ten Caat
Endurance racing champions, Risi Competizione, will boast a Championship-winning GT driver line up for its assault on the forthcoming 2010 American Le Mans Series season, it is announced today.
In reuniting 2007 ALMS Champion, Jaime Melo, with 2008 FIA GT Champion, Gianmaria Bruni, the Houston-based Ferrari team will front one of the strongest pairings in GT racing today.
The Brazilian/Italian partnership, who drove together to victory for Risi in the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans, have formed the backbone of the development program for the Ferrari F430 GT. Their return to the ALMS with that huge, combined amount of experience will be vital for success in an increasingly competitive and high-profile GT class.
Jaime Melo, 29, will be starting his fifth season with the team and his racing CV speaks for itself, while 28-year-old Bruni is well known to the American series having competed for Risi in a number of 2007 races as well as at Sebring and Le Mans the following year. Both drivers are based in Rome, Italy, and will also be competing together in the European-based Le Mans Series, so their in-car synchronicity and unity as a driving partnership will be roundly developed as the season progresses.
Risi Competizione’s Team Principal, Giuseppe Risi, said of his new pairing. “I’m delighted to be able to secure two such talented drivers and, together with Ferrari SpA, we have just one aim in mind: to reclaim the American Le Mans Series championship titles. Jaime is very much part of the Risi family, and we are sure that Gianmaria’s extremely successful couple of seasons in Europe will transfer to the United States.
“This will be our fifth and final season with the F430 GT and, while we are all very much looking forward to the introduction of the new Ferrari 458 in the future, we want to close this particular chapter of the 430 book with style; by winning.”
A third, endurance driving partner will be announced in due course, together with further details on Risi Competizione’s plans for the 2010 American Le Mans Series.
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Good move to bring in Gianmaria Bruni. Forza Ferrari!!!
one the strong favorite teams for the ALMS GT2, 2 top guys and an F430 GTC Evo…
What happened to Pierre Kaffer? I met him at Mosport and we had a nice conversation, was really impressed with the guy. Hopefully he will have work over here! He is the type of guy who really pounds the pavement for work, and I thought he was fantastic with Risi this year.
Agree with Chris – Kaffer was fast, did a nice job. But agree also that Bruni is quality through and through as well. Teamed with Melo they should be dynamite. Maybe Kaffer will be the third driver for the enduros?
The best way for them to claim the title would be with a second car. But I guess the Extreme Speed team can be of some help.
Not sure where Kaffer will go, but I hope he returns. This is the BEST duo in GT2 bar none and their results speak for themselves. Considering AF Corsa pretty much ran at Max weight every year they won the FIA Title, that takes great driving to win with a car heavier than your competition.
Bruni and Melo, favorites at Sebring straight away…