Mugello,testing session for "Iron Man” Alessandro Zanardi

Eyeing the closing race of the Endurance series, the Bolognese champion and his coequipers Comandini and Johansson run several laps in the BMW M6 GT3 set up for the race
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A rainy day welcomed “Iron Man” Alessandro Zanardi at the Mugello racetrack during the test session scheduled ahead of the Endurance Series of the Italian GT Championship that will take place from October 4th to 6th on the challenging Tuscan racetrack.

The Bolognese champion ran several laps in the morning in the BMW M6 GT3 on rain tyres sharing driving duties with Stefano Comandini and Erik Johansson, that are currently leading the classification ahead of Lamborghini and Ferrari.

Despite the unfavourable weather conditions, some good lap times have been posted, as confirmed by the Bolognese champion during the launch break.

Yes, this morning we completed several laps – Zanardi stated- we obviously did not look for the single lap performance, the track was wet and the M6 was fitting rain tyres. I feel very well like a child on boxing day even though I am a bit tired due to the double deed in the “Iron Man” of Cervia last weekend. I shared driving duties with Stefano and Erik to get some confidence in the car and on the circuit on which I already competed in 2016.

That was an unforgettable weekend, Alessandro, that ended up with race-2 victory. Do you remember it?

Absolutely. It is one of the most beautiful pictures I put in my memory book. Back then I was welcomed with great affection and enthusiasm not only by the organizers and fans, but also by my rivals. It is still a very nice memory which was made sweeter by the result we achieved. To me, it was already great to be part of the Italian GT. The responsibility in this second occasion is a bit different because back then I was representing myself, but now I am here to try and help my coequipers Stefano and Erik that are chasing an important result. They are leading the championship and I am proud of this, but I am also feeling the big responsibility for the job I have been entrusted with.

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Is it going to be a challenge in the challenge, isn't it?

"Absolutely yes. I will try and do my part as always. I know that BMW improved the car a lot and Team BMW Italia worked really well this year: results show this has been a splendid season, let’s try to end it on a high."

This year it is going to be a 3 hours race, while in 2016 it was a Sprint race. Does this change something for you?

Compared to the two races I ran last week in Cervia’s Iron Man Mugello will be a walk in the park. I am kidding obviously! I will drive for one hour, I am not sure in which stint. Let’s see how to face the race, I am here to help and I will get the baton from my mates. I am at the service of the team, after free practice and qualifying the driving order will be defined according to the driver that got the best feeling with the track, regardless the talent of the drivers that – myself excluded – is not under question. Stefano and Erik did a great job this year, maybe we Erik will drive in the third stint as he seems to have the edge and is always ready to get some time back.

Compared to 2016, the commands of the M6 GT3 changed, can you explain how?

Yes, they changed a lot in function of my need to drive without prosthesis which was my real limitation. With the old system, I could not use the transpiration of the lower limbs, or of what is left of them, as they were trapped in the prosthesis. Therefore now I can get in the car without the legs. The system we adopted is a brake lever in the central tunnel that includes also a system that allows me to downshift when my right hand actions the lever. The only downside is that I have to give steering inputs with one hand only on the wheel. But one gets used to everything eventually!"

 

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Engineers and BMW Motorsport technicians worked very well.

Certainly yes. They also targeted the objective of allowing me to cope better with the long distance. I am not worried about this, I worked very well with BMW in Munich and obtained exceptional results. There are no doubts, if my Achille’s heel was ending the race without losing the pace in the past, now I believe I could run a three hours race alone. This turned my life upside down!!

Alessandro, the await is mounting for your participation in the closing race in Mugello. Thousands of fans are expected over the weekend.

I am flattered that my presence is subject to special attention. The quality of those attentions always amazes me. I would like to thank all the people that support me and I try, as much as possible, to reward these attentions with a smile, a chat, a joke, handshake an autograph or a selfie. I try to do my best with that as over the weekend there is a car to drive. I imagine the paddock will be full of fans, I hope it will be, and I will try to reward them with a sporting performance that BMW and myself hope to bring home.

After today’s test, Zanardi will be in Mugello on Friday, October 4th for the first free practice session at 11. The second free practice will follow at 14,10, while the third session will be on Saturday, October 5th from 9 to 10. Qualifying will take place in the afternoon from 15 to 16.05, while the three hours race will get green lights on Sunday at 14,45. The race will be broadcast live on AutomotoTV (SKY 228) and in web streaming on www.raiplay.it, www.acisport.it/CIGT and www.facebook.com/CIGranTurismo.

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