Team Cetilar Racing is set for the sole 8-hour race of the FIA WEC Championship scheduled this weekend in Bahrain. At the Sakhir circuit Roberto Lacorte, Giorgio Sernagiotto and Andrea Belicchi make their comeback at the wheel of the AF Corse-powered #47 Dallara LMP2 car for the turning point of the 2019-2020 season heading to fourth out of eight rounds before the Lone Star Le Mans at Austin (Texas) on 22/23 February that repleces the Saõ Paulo race.
After finishing sixth at the Silverstone opener and claiming seventh at Fuji and Shanghai on early November, the three Italian drivers will try to play a perfect strategy. Just back from FIA Hall of Fame in Paris, Lacorte is aware of it. “This is the first time I race in Bahrain, a track that presents many unknown factors. We have to manage well tires, due to the very abrasive asphalt. That is not easy with our Dallara. The Sakhir circuit is very interesting, even if the most beautiful and fascinating tracks are the next four at Austin, Sebring, Spa and Le Mans. This race is important for the long distance and all the aspects concerning the strategy. Driving half of it by night will give us a first taste of our fourth participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans”.
“Also for me that’s my first time here in Bahrain”, Sernagiotto added, “I am very charged. We’ll face the 8-hour race with the usual positive spirit, trying to take advantage of our car’s reliability”.
Different story for Belicchi, who knows well the Bahrain track. The last time he raced there was in 2016, in the TCR Series. Two years earlier, in the FIA WEC Championship, he finished sixth overall and in LMP1 class, whilst he claimed the fifth position in 2012.
The 8 Hours of Bahrain starts on Thursday with the first two free practice sessions. A third session will be run on Friday before the qualifying scheduled at 16.40 local time. The race gets underway on Saturday with the green light at 15.
Source. Team Cetilar Racing/Photo. Fabio Taccola
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