Spring has started for Ferrari in the best possible way. The night in Florida on Saturday has brought another success for the F430 GT started by Risi Competizione, this time in the 12 Hours of Sebring, the first round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series. Meanwhile the list of victories for the team from Houston is growing: this was its third success in the last four editions of this race, confirming the team's excellent performance in the classical endurance races, where it also won the last two editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as the Petit Le Mans.

After 331 laps, Jaime Melo, Gimmi Bruni and Pierre Kaffer, brought home the F430 GT that carries number 62 in the sixth overall place at Sebring in the darkness of Saturday night, 36 laps behind the Peugeot with Ferrarista Marc Gené, the winner of the race together with another two former Formula 1 drivers, Alex Wurz and Anthony Davidson.

“This is another very special moment for us,” Team Principal Giuseppe Risi said. “There are similar moments when you fight and win, but on this track it's something special, even more so when it's for the third time in four years with the 430. I hope that this win shows the clients of the 430, what a great car they bought.” The Risi Competizione Ferrari finished in class ahead of the two BMWs with Bill Auberlen/Tommy Milner/Dirk Werner and Dirk Müller/Joey Hand/Andy Priaulx on board.

Great satisfaction also for the three drivers. “I'm so happy. We couldn't ask for more for the start of the season,” Melo said. “The Michelin tyres worked very well, just like the team and my colleagues did: this is the key to winning races like the 12 Hours of Sebring. I've been always racing the 430 since the start of its development in 2006 and we want it to become part of the history of Granturismo competitions.”

“After last year's second place it's really fantastic to be back winning,” Bruni added. “I had lots of fun: we fought right from the start. We passed the leader and pulled away. We weren't in the lead only twice, but we overtook more than anybody else.”

The third driver, the German sports car regular Kaffer, was happy about collecting another win: “I'm glad that I contributed to the best possible start of the season. I want to thank everybody, especially the mechanics, who have done some great work, adjusting the mistake I made early last week. It's great driving such a car and it's even better with Jaime and Gimmi.”