Thomas Biagi pilota FERRARI AF CORSE

20-11-08

Thomas Biagi Argentina preview

The Italian pilot discloses the unusual San Luis racetrack

SAN LUIS (ARGENTINA), November 20th 2008 – The 2008 season of FIA GT Championship ends up on the opposite side of the world, close to the Andes. Unusual racetrack, 6.249,85 meters lenght and 14 width, right in Potrero de los Funes, around a a volcanic lake in the nearby of San Luis - Argentina, close to Mendoza.

“The racetrack is one of the most amazing I’ve ever seen - sais Thomas - the widest for sure! That’s the reason why it will be difficult to get used to it. Tracking the perfect line, finding out the best path, it’s so hard: one can get lost . It is so similar to Singapore bounded by cement barriers. This implies that, sitting on a very low lever, the drivers do not see what happens out of the bends so we must rely on the promptness of commissioners. Average speed will be so high, like in Monza. On the basis of our simulations, there are at least three 200 km/h bends and so many straight away of over 260 km/h. You’ll see! There are even ramps (here the engine will count so much) and descents like in Mugello or SPA. It reminds me even Pergusa, the racetrack in Sicily I am so affectionate to, because it is built around a lake. I pass the racetrack with full marks and I congratulate with the Argentinian organizers for the huge work they have done.
That’s the tenth round and the results of GT2 are already done, with Vilander - Bruni pair heading the ranking, which Thomas has shared the Team Title of AF Corse with.

«If compared with 2007 – sais Biagi - when I won FIA GT1 title, so many things changed: I’m now in a new category (GT2), I have a new team mate, Christian Montanari, and I’ve learnt to drive a vehicle so different from Maserati. I was aware that it would have been so hard and this year and it has been good time spent to get used to the category. During the first part of the season we have performed well, up on the podium for three times during the first 5 races, then something has turned wrong ... I’m moderately satisfied for the pole position in Spa 24 Hours, the world most selective racetrack. Before saying goodbye and before thinking forward to 2009, I wish I could end up this year in the best way».

SAN LUIS - 10th round International FIA GT Championship (+1 GT)
Saturday November 22nd :
13.00-13.20 Free practice