Thomas Biagi news

Thomas ends up 2008 with a triumph in Adria 24 Hours

2008-12-16T10:23:00Z

ADRIA, 14th December 2008 – Thomas Biagi has won the fifth edition of 24 Hours race in Adria during Telethon with Adria Race Way Team with an advantage of one round on Durango, headed by F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella, during an amazing duel in the last hours of the race.

«It’s such an important result for me – Thomas sais exhausted but happy just out of its Mitsubishi Evo VIII – this is the first victory during a 24hours in my career, after I nearly got it last year in Spa - Belgium. This has a special flavour not only because I got it during a race with outstanding professional drivers, but also because I’ve been driving the car for over 10 hous and in the following hours I haven’t slept at all: together with my friend Altoè we have guided our car-mates, giving instructions and suggestions via radio. I feel I gained this victory both on the track and from the bench.

Adrenalin kept me awake all time long. I brought the car to the finishing line and the final 60 minutes seemed neverending to me, because we had transmission problems in the last seven hours. It was really hard and I tried to get the best from our advantage facing the forcing of Fisichella who has recovered but could not reach us.

First of all I’m satisfied because solidarity and Telethon have won today and even because the victory has come with my friends Ducret, Penna and Altoè. Thanks to the team mates: Andrea Ca Bianca, Franco Munari and Mauro».

Thomas greets the end of 2008 from the Argentinian podium!

2008-11-24T14:22:00Z

SAN LUIS (Argentina), November 23rd 2008 - Thomas Biagi ends happily 2008 FIA GT Championship thanks to the third place gained together with Christian Montanari on the unusual San Luis racetrack. He overtakes then in the overall ranking Emmanuel Collard’s Porsche which was fourth.

«It has been a really hard race, above all for the baking hot and for the sand blown by the wind in the racetrack – said Thomas at the end of the proof - I had to modify all the paths and I also slightly touched the barriers many times, with high risks; the adherence degree was even unstable because of the sand. I am moderately satisfied. Let’s say that we got the goal of saying goodbye to this season from the podium. I wish I could have ended up the Championship among the three first positions and we nearly arrived…

This year has been as much demanding as I expected, for sure it has strenghtened my temper and I have learned to understand FIA GT Championship by the perspective of GT2 serie. I have acquainted myself with this experience and I will face 2009 with a positive mood. I thank AF Corse, all mechanicians and engeneers headed by the special guy who is Amato Ferrari, all those who trust in me, Client Dept of Ferrari Corse, Michelin and all sponsors who permitted us to face out this championship and this onerous transfer to South America.

Before saying goodbye, I would like to make my congratulations to Matias Russo and Luis Perez Companc for today’s victory, and above all also to Maserati and to the pair made by my friend Bertolini and my previous car-mate, Michael Bartels, who have ascertained the pilot title of GT1 with the fifth place».

For Thomas 2008 hasn’t come to an end: on December 9th you’ll see him in action at the Motor Show in Bologna during the GT indoor thopy .

SAN LUIS RESULT

1) Russo/Perez Companc, Ferrari F430 2:01:34.742
2) Bruni/Vilander, Ferrari F430 2:01:35.990
3) Montanari/Biagi, Ferrari F430 2:02:26.836

FINAL RANKING
1) Vilander – Bruni, 93 points
2) Malucelli – Ruberti, 60,5 points
3) Westbrook, 45 points
4) Montanari – Biagi, 45 points

The Italian pilot discloses the unusual San Luis racetrack

2008-11-20T17:13:00Z

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

In Zolder, a result opposite from last year

2008-10-19T16:36:00Z

ZOLDER, October 19th 2008 – Exactly one year later, on the same racetrack in Zolder where Thomas Biagi became FIA GT Champion, a completely diffent ending for the second time. The race of the Italian pilot has last the time of a bend due to a violent crash with Rob Bell’s Ferrari that was turned accidentally ahead, after a bump with Mucke’s Aston Martin.

«This leaves a bitter taste – Thomas sais – the victory of Bruni / Vilander with a 50 kg ballast confirms that our vehicle had a very good pace and we could have tried to struggle for for a better result without the ballast …

Unfortunately this scoring blocks the way for second and third place in the Championship. We bet on the last race in the unusual racetrack in San Luis - Argentina. I wish I could leave a good memory on the last stage of this season, I would like to reward the hard work of AF Corse mechanicians ending up in the best way».

ZOLDER RESULT, NINTH STAGE OF FIA GT2 CHAMPIONSHIP:

1) Bruni/Vilander Ferrari F430
2) Malucelli/Ruberti Ferrari F430
3) Lieb/Palttala Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)

OVERALL RANKING

1) Bruni/Vilander, 85 points
2) Malucelli/Ruberti, 57,5 points
3) Westbrook, 51 points

4) MONTANARI/BIAGI, 39 points

7Â° During qualifications: Thomas is confident

2008-10-18T18:43:00Z

Thomas Biagi is ready to step up on the foot lever after today´s qualifications valid for the ninth stage Fia Gt2 Championship, that he will attend tomorrow in Zolder, Belgium.

“After feree proofs - sais the pilot from Bologna of AF Corse - I was very much satisfied of our competitiveness, with the third best timing, with a three tenths from the first and a high speed during the race. Unfortunately during official sessions even if first out of the box, as usual to avoid traffic, I found the track dirty with an oil and filled mix, lost during the previous race of Belgian GT. In order not to slip I had to turn out the path of the chicane loosing so much time and I could not confirm the good result of the free proofs”.

Nevertheless, Thomas is quiet and optimistic for tomorrow´s race. “The vehicle runs good; I´m convinced we can have a very good performance. I also feel good phisically”.

The performance of Biagi during the “Run for the heart” - the cycling race of car drivers of Fia Gt on belgian racetrack - is a proof of his good health. He is also satisfied of this result and he is proud of the third place (half serios, half for joking). “I think to be the one who has better felt the endurance meaning, I´ve done 5 km without any stops, while other participants changed at each track tour”.

An oil stain won´t be stopping Thomas Biagi sportivity.

The ninth stage of Fia Gt Championship from Zolder (Belgium) will be broadcast live tomorrow, Sunday October 19th from 13.15 on Sky Sport Extra.

Zolder (Belgium) - Ninth Championship Race of Fia Gt Championship

Official qualifications Gt2

1) Andrew KIRKALDY – Ferrari F430 - 1:30.382

2) Emmanuel COLLARD - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) - 1:30.495

3) Marc LIEB - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997) - 1:30.579

7) Thomas Biagi – Ferrari F430 - 1:31.280

Race for the Earth

2008-10-18T13:33:00Z

ZOLDER - You might think that FIA GT drivers only drive on Saturday or Sunday but today (Friday October 17th), they changed their GT cars for bikes. SRO organised a bicycle race called “Race for the Earth”. This was a sequel to the “Run for the Earth”-event at Nogaro, which was won by Gimmi Bruni.

This time Thomas took part in the race. He teamed up with a member of AF Corse. As a well trained cyclist Thomas took the start of the 1 hour race and could briefly take the lead. He drove with his race shoes and not with shoes adapted to the pedals of the bike. He was encouraged by his team mate Christian Montanari and all the other AF Corse team members. After half an hour, he handed over the bicycle, as it was obliged to race with the same bike and transponder, to his team mate.

After his stint Thomas told that he was slowed down by his shoes. He joked that he had lost a lot of power, but that the tyres were fine. Finally they finished 3rd, while the Phoenix team won this pre-race event.

Peter Crauwels

Biagi ready for Zolder

2008-10-17T09:17:00Z

ZOLDER (Belgium), October 14th 2008 - Thomas Biagi is ready to go to Zolder: on two wheels in a first stage! Tomorrow, friday at 19.30 he will attend the “Run for the heart” that will take place for one hour time on Zolder racetrack.

«I’ve trained intensively in the last two weeks even because there’s also Bruni’s result in the jogging race to be guarded and my main sponsor “Forno D’Asolo” - also owner of the homonym team taking part to the world bicycle female champioship - to be supported. I will ask advice to my fried Gilberto Simoni (twice winner of Italian Tour). My legs are ok, let’s see how are feet», ends up Thomas smiling and joking.

For Thomas will be like an homecoming in this corner of Europe between Belgium and Netherlands. This one won’t be like the other races for the AF Corse driver. All along the 4 Km of Zolder racetrack, he will be presumably thinking back to the race of 2007 when his third place after a perfect and logical race stood for the World FiaGt1 Championship title.

« Coming back to Zolder will be moving – Thomas sais – I cannot forget the moment I spent there last year. Moreover Belgian racetrack fits me, I’ve always been so much competitive since 2001 when I was in F.3000 and I made track - record…

There won’t be much time to look back – Biagi goes on fierce – we must be concentrated on Sunday’s race because we are aware we can do well. Our goal with Ferrari n. 51 of AF Corse is being among the three first positions of the final ranking of the championship to end up the wonderful season of AF CORSE, which already has both team and driver titles.

The vehicle is more and more competitive and this makes me confider for the last two races , Sunday in Zolder and next month on the unusual racetrack of Sant Louis - Argentina. Mechanicians and engeneers of AF Corse are really fantastic: we’ve grown up together this year. ».

Zolder racetrack (Belgium)
Qualification: Saturday, October 18th from 17,15 to 17.50
Live race: Sunday, October 19th from 13,15

terzo posto Nogaro - Eng

2008-10-05T15:13:00Z

NOGARO, October 5th 2008 – He has already jumped up on the podium for celebrating the third place got after an amazing race, when a few hours after the checquered flag the nasty surprise arrived: 30 seconds penalties to Montanari (that means going back to the fifth place) for a contact with Rob Bell in the last-laps.

«That’s a pity – Thomas sais -: a vanished podium, very much deserved indeed. We accept the verdict of the jury and we restart our training for the Championship’s last two rounds. In next stage we will look for a relevant result in order to regain scores versus second and third place in overall ranking. That’s our goal. Next date in Zolder, a lucky racetrack: it was there I gained my second title in FIA GT last year.

We are coming home from Nogaro proud of our excellent performance confirmed by the fact that we crossed the finishing line jest half second (!) from the first, after 2 hours of high speed race, a very demanding championship. If compared with Brno we have changed some details of the car set-up that better fits my driving style now and make me feel more confident. All of us have done a very good job!

My congratulations to Toni Vilander and Gimmi Bruni that have already secured the first place in the Drivers ranking 2008, with a two races advance. A further success together with the first place in the Team ranking: that’s because AF Corse team has showed is worth ans skilful, and I’m proud to take part to it».

NOGARO RACE RESULTS

1) Westbrook/Davison - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)
2) Mullen/Piccini - Ferrari F430
3) Vilander/Bruni – Ferrari F430

5) MONTANARI/BIAGI - FERRARI F430

GENERAL RANKING

1) Vilander/Bruni – 74 points
2) Malucelli/Ruberti – 49,5 points
3) Westbrook – 46 points

4) BIAGI/MONTANARI - 39 PUNTI

TEAMS RANKING

1) AF CORSE - 113 points
2) BMS Scuderia Italia – 63 points
3) CR Scuderia – 56 points

Nogaro - qualifiche ENG

2008-10-04T16:40:01Z

Nogaro (Fra), October 4th 2008 – Thanks to Christian Montanari timing of 1:26.628 during the qualification, our Thomas Biagi will start from first row together with San marino driver, in second position and first among RedHorse cars.

“I’m extremely satisfied of Christian’s result, all my congratulations to him –the driver from Bologna immediately sais after -. What makes me confident and positive is the fact that this morning during the race simulation with full fuel we have been the faster at the same conditions with our competitors.

If compared with Brno we have changed the set-up and I’m very satisfied with this. The car now fits better my driving style. Tomorrow we’ll make our best in ordet to get results we aim to, together with Gimmi Bruni, Toni Vilander and all AF Corse team. This is an high demanding racetrack, but I’m not worried about that because we ca rely on Michelin. Thanks to the men of AF Corse and Ferrari teams for the very good job.”

Tomorrow race live at 13.15.

Starting grid:

1° Westbrook/Davison - Porsche 911 GT3 RS - 1:26.296

2° Montanari/Biagi - Ferrari F430 - 1:26.628

3° Mullen/Piccini - Ferrari F430 - 1:26.808

In France, trying to retake the podium in general ranking

2008-10-01T14:55:00Z

NOGARO (FRA), October 1st 2008 – Gaining score and aiming to go up again in the ranking are mandatory. After Brno great remount, Thomas Biagi wants to gain a step in the general ranking podium. Currently at the fourth place, one single point takes Ferrari F430 #51 apart from Porsche driven by Collard/Westbrook.

The next date this weekend in Nogaro, in south west of France, a perfect racetrack for Ferrari of AF Corse team, that last year gained the podium. Perfect even for Thomas that last year got the pole position and ended up a glowing race with the second place.

«I’m still missing a victory during this season – Thomas Biagi sais – and I would like to do a gift to my fans that this year more than ever have been so close and supportive to me. They followed me not only in well known Italian stages but even abroad. It won’t be easy with such competitive team mate like Bruni/Vilander and many other remarkable outsider.
I am confident: it’s a positive moment I can also rely on excellent and consistent Michelin Tyres that in the last race allowed us to end up without a change! The right premises for a result ...».

Qualifications: Saturday, October 4th from 16.45 to 17.00

Race live on Sky Sport Extra Sunday, October 5th from 13.15

Risultato Brno ING

2008-09-15T09:31:00Z

BRNO, September 14th 2008 – We nearly got it. At the end of this tormeted Czech week end, Thomas Biagi is concluding the two hours race of the seventh round of FIA GT with an excellent fourth place.

«Considering that we started from the last row of the starting grid, it’s with not doubt a very good result – Thomas Biagi sais, satisfied and more relaxed, a few minutes after crossing the finishing line. This fourth place is a prize for the excellent work of engeneers, mechanicians and the whole AF Corse team that proved to be able to “compensate” a critical situation. I wish I could thank them with a place on the podium… We nearly got it. If not for the traffic I encountered in the last rounds of the first stint, we probably could get it.

I thank my team mate, Christian Montanari that just is the middle of the race had been consistent. A very positive result also thank to the reliablility of Michelin tyres, thet allowed us concluding the race with the same set of tyres.

At this stage, we go on working with the maximum effort for the next French race in Nogaro that will take place on October 5th».

7° ROUND, BRNO – RESULT RANKING

1) Bruni – Vilander
2) Janak - Bergmeister
3) Malucelli - Ruberti
4) Biagi – Montanari

RANKING

1) Bruni – Vilander – 69 punti
2) Malucelli – Ruberti – 47,5 punti
3) Collard – Westbrook – 36 punti
4) Biagi – Montanari – 35 punti

Qualifiche Brno ING

2008-09-13T09:35:00Z

BRNO, September 13th 2008 – «Probably it is one of the hardest moment in my carreer in FIA GT, since I starter in 2003 – Thomas Biagi sais just down from Ferrari F430 at the end of qualifications in Brno -. We’ve had problems with the car all day long. During the qualification session we went down in the racetrack only for having one single round done, arriving three seconds from the first.

In the last weeks the team has done an excellent work in order to restore the car hardly damaged during the 24 Hours race in Spa. Unfortunately this morning we have had internal problems that we have not solved yet. We must investigate to discover where the clue is. We hope having everything fine by the night, and we’ll be competitive in tomorrow’s race, ready for a grat comeback.

I already passed critical moments in my carreer and I’ll get over this too!»

Qualifications on Saturday, September 13th 2008

1) Mueller – 1:57.266 - Ferrari F430
2) Westbrook – 1:57.481 - Porsche 911 GT3 RS (997)
3) Bruni – 1.57.756 - Ferrari F430

13) Biagi – 2:00.819 - Ferrari F430

Race – Sunday from 13,15 to 15,15

Brno

2008-09-10T15:00:00Z

BRNO, September 10th 2008 – After the 24 Hours race in Spa and the new two matches format in Bucharest, FIA GT Championship goes back to the classic two hours race. The big Gran Turismo circus lands in fascinating Czech Republic, in Brno autodrome: 5.402 meters that Thomas particularly likes.

«I’m so much determined - Biagi sais – I wish I can soon jump on my car. In all races we disputed we got to a score and till Spa 24 Hours we have always been on the podium. In Belgium I also obtained first pole in GT2. Thinks seemed to work out, then after my team mate went out of track in the night due to bad weather conditions, compromising the race, we lost second place in the ranking. Spa is too much determining in the championship because score counts three times. It’s like Russian roulette: if you survive you have high chances to get the title, otherwise you have to look forward to next year.

This is time for Brno: a track that I really do like, it reminds me of Mugello (Italy), the circuit I absolutely prefer. The track is very technical, with high speed bends and harsh breaks. All ingredients that challenge a good pilot… Moreover I have good memory of the grounding, like the fourth following win at the first appearance in the class. This is still an unbeaten record that I lately improved in Donington, where Matteo Bobbi and I gained the fifth success over five races.

My first goal now is to bring AF Corse to the team title and support my teammates Bruni and Vilander to win the driver ranking. At last, by the year end, I wish I can jump on the higher step of podium also in this category and maybe having my second place back in the ranking…».

Saturday from 17,15 to 17.50 qualifications.

Sunday from 13,15 to 15,15 race.

risultato Bucharest

2008-08-25T08:12:00Z

BUCHAREST, August 24th 2008 – Thomas Biagi expected something different from what occoured during this sixth date of FIA GT championship. Anyway the Italian pilot has shown his usual competitiveness: on Saturday during the first “manche” he was finishing the race at the third place just before being rammed by Maassen who lost control and whose Corvette brought Ferrari 430 out of track. Despite the bump, Thomas has started again closing fifth in the race.

«I have to leave this weekend behind my shoulder – Thomas sais after the two days in Romania – even yesterday a sure podium vanished after a collision with a GT1 car. Luckily the race was not completely compromised and I arrived to the end. Today (Sunday, ndr) I haven’t even got in the car…

After Spa, I wish I gained the best score I could in order to gain the second place back in the global ranking. I wish I could jump on my car the sooner! My mind is on next date at Brno, in the Czech Republic on September 14th. I’m confident: we have all the skills to perform well and I can always rely both on AF Corse that is working so good and on Michelin tyres committable and performing».

The roumanian race was disputed on two days: first manche on Saturday lasting one hour with start based on quanlifications and second manche on Sunday, always one hour race with start based on the first proof ranking. Scores count half and refer to each manches.

1st MANCHE RESULT: 1) Bell/Kirkaldy; 2) Vilander/Bruni; 3) Westbrook/Collard; 5) Montanari/Biagi.

2nd MANCHE RESULT: 1) Bell/Kirkaldy; 2) Vilander/Bruni; 3) Westbrook/Collard; 11) Montanari/Biagi.

Global ranking: 1) Vilander/Bruni 59 ps; 2) Malucelli/Ruberti 41,5 ps 3)Westbrook/Collard 36 ps; 6) Montanari/Biagi 30 ps.

Risultato Spa - 24 Ore

2008-08-03T17:46:00Z

Last weekend the 60th edition of the 24 hours of Spa was held on the legendary circuit in the Belgian Ardennes. This 5th round of the 2008 FIA GT championship caused mixed feelings for Thomas Biagi. He scored a very nice pole position in GT2, but his Ferrari No.51 had to retire from the race after more than 10 hours.

Before the Belgian race, Thomas Biagi and Christian Montanari were 2nd in the championship standings with a delay of 11 points on their AF Corse team mates Bruni and Vilander.

For the 24 hour race Biagi and Montanari were joined by Matias Russo, driver of Advanced Engineering in FIA GT, and Dominik Farnbacher, currently racing in the American Le Mans Series with a Ferrari F430 GT2.

The activities started on Wednesday with a parade of the race cars. On Thursday there were 2 free practice and 2 qualifying sessions. Thomas drove a fantastic lap during the first qualifying on Thursday evening. With a time of 2’21”504 he did put the No.51 Ferrari on a provisional pole position. The time of Thomas was not improved anymore, so he scored his first pole position in GT2!

On Saturday the race started under a cloudy sky. Thomas took the start on the No.51 AF Corse Ferrari. In the first corner he was hindered by a spinning Corvette and fell back to 9th position in GT2. Thomas lost some time because he was stuck behind a few slower GT2 cars and he really could go faster. After at about 55 minutes he came into the pits to hand over the car to Montanari.

The weather remained unpredictable. Sometimes there was some fine rain and from time to time it started to rain a bit harder. This made it very difficult for the teams to make the right tyre choice, a typical Francorchamps-situation.

At 21h45 Thomas climbed back into the cockpit of the Ferrari F430 for his second ride. He did a long stint of 2h30. Afterwards he was very tired but he had a good feeling about the car and the race. Then Christian Montanari took over. Just after 2 o’clock in the morning he sadly crashed at Blanchimont, a very fast and challenging curve, when lying 4th in class. The Ferrari F430 was damaged and had to retire.

The GT2 class was won by the BMS Ferrari, with 2 laps advantage over the Prospeed Porsche and the AF Corse No.50 was a further 3 laps back in 3rd place. With this bad result Thomas lost several positions in the championship and they are now 23 points behind the leaders Bruni/Vilander.

Let’s hope for good results during the two 60’ races in the Bucharest streets in 3 weeks time.

1 Malucelli/Ruberti/Camathias/Rigon Ferrari F430 GT2
2 Collard/Westbrook/Lieb Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
3 Bruni/Vilander/Melo/Salo Ferrari F430 GT2

Peter Crauwels