16.10.2003 GIANCARLO HAS HIS FIRST TASTE OF THE ALFA ROMEO 156GTA HE WILL DRIVE AT THIS WEEKEND'S ETCC FINALE
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F1 star Giancarlo Fisichella had his first drive in the Autodelta Alfa Romeo 156GTA at Varano that he will race this weekend in the FIA European Touring Car Championship finale at Monza.

“It is always an emotion to drive a different racing car,” the Italian driver said. “Especially when you are used to Formula One. Because of the technical regulations, the Alfa 156 Gta is close to the roadgoing car, but it’s really fun to drive as soon as you become familiar with it. I’m quite happy to get back racing for Alfa Romeo. I still have good memories of my ITC and DTM seasons, back in 1995 and 1996. I also met Marco Calovolo and Monica Sipsz, who were my race engineer and team manager then.”

The Autodelta team lines up a five-car formation in Monza, with Fisichella alongside the current FIA ETCC leader Gabriele Tarquini, Nicola Larini, Roberto Colciago and James Thompson. “It’s quite an impressive group of drivers, which has been further enriched by Fisichella’s arrival. Five cars are quite a big effort for our engineers and mechanics, but I’m sure we will be paid back by the tifosi, who will come to Monza for supporting our effort to claim another European Championship,” Monica Sipsz commented.