22.03.2004 REIGNING FIA GT CHAMPION MATTEO BOBBI IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE RAPIDLY APPROACHING NEW SEASON

Reigning Champion Matteo Bobbi is looking forward to the start of the new season. He will behind the wheel of the nr 1 BMS Scuderia Italia Ferrari 550 Maranello with Swiss driver Gabriele Gardel.

"I'm very happy to be racing in the FIA GT Championship once more," he said. "I am very confident for the coming season. It would be difficult to repeat what we did in 2003, but I think we can do a very good job.

"My new team-mate was impressive during the Monza test days. We tested many different things, always running with a heavy fuel load. I also did a long run in race configuaration, and the lap time was very good, so I think we have good reason to be pleased."  

The nr 2 Ferrari 550 Maranello will be shared by Fabrizio Gollin and Luca Cappellari, winners of October's Monza race, while the nr 3 Care Racing Ferrari will also be in the same hands as in 2003, with Lilian Bryner, Enzo Calderari and Stefano Livio behind the wheel.

"Monza is a very fast track, which is very difficult on braking. There are many important corners, such as Ascari and the Parabolica. After the first straight, you have to brake hard for the first chicane, then there is another long straight, followed by another important braking manoeuvre for the 2nd chicane.

"Then comes Lesmo 1 and Lesmo 2, both of which are normal corners. Another big straight, and then you have to brake hard again for the very important corner, Ascari.  This is followed by a final straight, before heading into the final corner, the Parabolica, which is very important in order to get enough speed to take you through to the pits straight again..."

Meanwhile German team Weith Racing has been working hard on their Ferrari 550 Maranello over the winter. Team regular Wolfgang Kaufmann has already been signed for 2004, but the rest of the line-up remains to be confirmed. "We are negotiating with some very interesting and above all quick drivers to partner Wolfgang, and an decision should be reached within the next two days," team manager Florian Hebel explained. 

"With the help of an engineer like Steve Ridgers, it should be possible to lift the car to a level that should see us in the points and hopefully on the podium.  But the competition in the GT class will be quite strong this year. Our aim in 2003 was to improve the reliability of the car, which we achieved, with our strong six-hour run at Spa and the excellent race in Oschersleben. 

"Since there, the aerodynamics have been changed, giving us more downforce. And more importantly, we will get an even stronger engine for Round 2.  With that in mind, we have a good feeling for the season ahead!"