The Italian GT Sprint Championship is back on track: a quick chat with some of its drivers
- Alice Cecchi
- Apr 30, 2024
- 5 min read
After a long winter break, it's time for the long list of entries in the Italian GT Championship, Sprint category, to hit the track again, heading towards the Misano race week. We spoke with some of the protagonists who, amidst pre-race adrenaline and a strong desire to get back on track, shared their insights into a more captivating Italian GT than ever before
A longstanding protagonist in the Italian motorsport scene, the Italian GT Championship is gearing up to hit the track again after the winter break, with many new developments both in the driver entry list and in terms of cars on the grid. The season will kick off at the Misano World Circuit, where the lights will go out on May 4th and 5th to mark the start of the inaugural races for the various categories brought on track by the ACI Racing Weekends. With a variegate program, the CIGT Sprint includes two races per class - as GT3 and GT Cup remain separated this year as well - one on Saturday and one on Sunday, each lasting fifty minutes.
In past years, Italian GT has thrilled many enthusiasts, but this year, with new cars on the track - like the debut of the Aston Martin or the Ferrari 296 - and an entry list of truly intriguing drivers, it's as if the stakes have doubled. There's truly much to talk about, especially when it comes straight from the championship's protagonists: we spoke with Federico Malvestiti, Rocco Mazzola, Vincenzo Scarpetta, Emma Segattini, and Leonardo Colavita, five of the many young talents competing in the first round at Misano, and their insights offer promising signs for what is shaping up to be a thrilling season ahead.
"This year, the Italian championship has reached a much higher level" said Rocco Mazzola, born in 2005 and driving the Audi R8 LMS alongside Pietro Delli Guanti, another young talent to follow in 2024. "It will be the most challenging season for me because there are so many strong line-ups. At the same time, I'm confident that, together with my new team, we can be competitive. I felt very comfortable with Audi Sport Italia right from the first test, so I'm optimistic". Mazzola and Delli Guanti are certainly two of the up-and-coming drivers to keep an eye on: the former is the Italian GT Cup class champion of the 2022 season, while the latter transitioned from single-seaters to closed-wheel cars and already has a season in the GT World Challenge under his belt. It's clear that Audi has decided to invest heavily in young talent, and given how the Italian GT has shaped some of Italy's most competitive drivers, from Mattia Drudi to Antonio Fuoco, the duo in the number 12 R8 seems truly intriguing.
The same goes for Pedro Carvahlo Ebrahim and Federico Malvestiti, the duo behind the wheel of the Ceccato Racing BMW M4 GT3: "GT3 is a new challenge for me, but I can't wait to compete with others and work to improve more and more" Malvestiti told us. "I get along with both the team and my teammate; we've established a good relationship during the test days, so we hope to have a good season and a lot of fun." The Italian, who also has two seasons in Formula 3 under his belt, will return to the track after a year and a half hiatus and is therefore very excited about the Misano round: "I'm extremely pumped and can't wait to experience the atmosphere of race weekends again. The seasonal goal is to understand our potential during the first weekend and then grow and constantly improve from there" Federico will be behind the wheel of the car that last year, again with Ceccato Racing, won the overall driver's title, along with Pedro Carvalho Ebrahim, who is ready to show what he's made of on Italian tracks as well.
Leonardo Colavita is also making his debut, with the Double TT Racing Ferrari 488, and is set to elevate his game after last season's involvement in the GT Cup class, where he contended for the title until the final moments. "I'm eager and prepared to make my mark in the top category and compete with drivers who boast far more experience than myself," Leonardo shared, alongside his teammate from the previous year, Giorgio Maggi. "It's premature to discuss specific goals, as I aim to acquaint myself with the track first. Nonetheless, I hold great confidence in both my abilities and those of my team" Colavita added. The Ferrari 488 GT3 duo approaches the season with a blend of readiness and self-assurance, drawing from their past successes despite the hurdles encountered in the GT Cup Pro-Am title chase of 2023.
Also making his GT3 debut, with a similar background to Colavita's, will be Vincenzo Scarpetta, the 2023 GT Cup Am champion, behind the wheel of Nova Race's Honda NSX GT3 Evo: "I'm really excited because it will be my first GT3 race, the top category with a very high level. I have a lot to learn, so I hope to gain as much experience as possible" Scarpetta told us. "The other main goal is to have fun, because that's what motorsport has always taught me. Then, of course, I'd also like to achieve some satisfaction, maybe even by winning the championship..." added the very young driver from Portici, who will race with Mattia Simonini, to form a duo that certainly has all the credentials to stand out on the track.
So many young talents are arriving in the GT3 class, among those mentioned above, Luigi Coluccio with Best Lap, Raul Guzman with Antonelli Motorsport, or Andrea Cola with Tresor Audi Sport Italia, but just as many will land in the GT Cup. Among the various names, we spoke with the very young but truly fast Emma Segattini, who in the BMW single-brand championship in 2023 showed what she's made of and is now ready to debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari 488 Challenge: "I'm very excited and at the same time charged up, but I don't deny that I also have a little bit of anxiety! I'll be entering a championship full of people with a lot of driving experience in a new car. New championship, new opponents, new race format... all different from what I was used to" Emma told us. "We already know it won't be easy, but I'm ready to give it my all. My goal this year is definitely to learn as much as possible and then, perhaps, also to achieve some good results".
Therefore, the Misano race week starts with a lot at stake, between those who are charged up and unafraid of anything and those who are more excited. One thing is for sure: there will be no shortage of on-track action, and with four races in total dedicated to the CIGT Sprint over the weekend, fun will also make an appearance. The races can be followed on ACI Sport TV, channel 228 on Sky, and on dedicated social channels: this year, Italian GT is not to be missed for any reason in the world.
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